Guyana Times Daily

Seven students allegedly attempt suicide in Bartica

thursday, november 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana signs US$2.4M loan agreement with CDF

Several local farm-tomarket roads will benefit from major upgrades under a new line of financing via the Country Assistance Programme of the Caricom Development Fund (CDF).

The roads are in Parika and Ruby (Region Three – Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Laluni (Region Four – Demerara-Mahaica) and Onverwagt (Region Five – Mahaica-Berbice)

In a statement to the media on Wednesday, the Finance Ministry stated that Minister Winston Jordan and CDF Chief Executive Officer Rodinald Soomer signed the loan and grant agreement, which will see Guyana benefiting from an additional US$2.4 million, which supplements the US$9.1 million that Guyana received in July 2013.

According to the Ministry, under the agreement, approximately 12 kilometres of asphaltic concrete roads will be constructed, another 13km of all-weather roads will be upgraded and two reinforced concrete bridges will be built.

“These upgrades will help alleviate many of the problems hindering access to the backlands which are often impassable as a result of damage caused by adverse

weather and heavy-duty machinery,” the statement said, adding that the loan will also be used to rehabilitate bridges that have been compromised.

All the roads are expected to be completed by August 2016.

“An estimated 9500 farming households will directly benefit from access to prime agricultural backlands in all seasons as Government aims to help farmers in these areas increase production, incomes and exports in cash crops. This in turn will contribute to price stability for

green vegetables mainly on the domestic market,” the statement said.

“Achievements to date have been impressive as all the works have been completed within budget and on schedule,”Soomer said.

He added that Guyana can benefit from more resources to finance other projects in agriculture and other sectors as it automatically qualifies for further support by virtue of it having paid up its full assessed contribution to the Fund.

Minister Jordan, in response, thanked the CDF

and said Soomer’s comments augur well for future collaborations with the CDF as the Government continued with its agenda for all Guyanese to realise the good life.

The CDF provides technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to enhance their prospects for successful competition within the Community, and to provide redress for any negative impact occasioned by the establishment of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Stolen ‘weed’ lands men in court

Two neighbours were on Wednesday brought before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts crosscharged for unlawful assault.

Junior Decabra of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied the charge, which stated that on November 9, at East Ruimveldt, he unlawfully assaulted Anthony Wilkinson. He also pleaded not guilty to another

charge which stated that on the same occasion he unlawfully damaged a fan valued $17,000 and a vest worth $1000, property of Wilkinson.

Wilkinson, on the other hand, was slapped with a charge of unlawfully assaulting Decabra also on November 9 at East Ruimveldt.

In court on Wednesday, Wilkinson said that during the fight, Decabra ran into his house armed with a cut-

lass, threw down his ninemonth-old daughter in the process and destroyed several household articles.

Decabra denied these claims, telling the court instead that his wife was Wilkinson’s cousin, and they all reside in the same yard. He said that on the day in question, he arrived home to find Wilkinson at his front door, arguing with his wife and as such, he chased him. Wilkinson denied this allegation, saying

that he and Decabra have not been getting along as some time ago Decabra accused him of stealing five pounds of “weed” from his house.

Both men requested reasonable bail and were released on $10,000 bail each. Additionally, Decabra was granted $5000 bail of the destruction of property charge. As a condition of bail, they are both to keep the peace. The case will continue on November 25.

Suicide in Guyana

“Quit peddling misinformation”

... “implement concrete measures now” – TCV

Given the plethora of information and research on suicide made publicly available over the last two years, the Caribbean Voice (TCV) has stated that it is quite an enigma that misinformation continues to be peddled from the top of socio-political structure.

In a release, the nonprofit organisation shared that the latest such “tid-bit” is that suicide happens because of unhappiness.

“This kind of blasé approach trivialising a national crisis is both distressing and frustrating and reinforces the ‘blame the victim syndrome’,” the organisation explained.

They noted that in Guyana, the known risk factors for suicide include sexually transmitted diseases (STD); abuse, ie domestic, sexual, physical and mental; teen pregnancy; incest; rape; in relationships – dysfunctional, triangular, teenager, separation, break ups; alcoholism and drug abuse; societal response to alternative sexual lifestyles – gays and lesbians and a sort of sociocultural acceptance/internalisation that suicide is an answer to life’s problems, among many others.

TCV stated that most importantly, it is globally know that about 90 per cent of people who commit suicide have some sort of psychiatric disorder, and that depression is more often than not, the straw that broke the camel’s back. Yet, as US writer and social activist Gabe Howard, puts it, “The reality is that people who are contemplating suicide aren’t looking for reasons to die, they are looking for a way to make the pain stop.”

However, TCV shared that it is a proven fact that

suicide is eminently preventable, with a critical step towards preventing suicide being a national conversation that must educate and inform the public about the facts so as to dispel myths and misinformation; involve all stakeholders, but especially the media and the relevant Government Ministries and agencies.

The group further stated that this national conversation must be supplemented by a set of other measures, which have been discussed in the public domain for a while and even ventilated by various Government Ministers and other spokespersons.

The Caribbean Voice (TCV) is urging the Education Ministry to identify all teachers who possess some level of social work or mental health training and utilise them as an interim measure, while more extensive training is provided and/or fully qualified personnel are being sourced. The group shared also that every community needs trained eyes and ears for proactive action and the Gatekeepers’ Programme is the best vehicle to bring about this reality. Additionally, it was highlighted that there have been numerous measures bandied about to address pesticide suicide but no concerted plan of action has been indicated.

The Caribbean Voice (TCV) is a US-registered non-profit organization with a branch in Guyana. Currently, TCV is engaged in suicide prevention with a special focus on Guyana, which has been designated by the World Health Organisation, as having the highest suicide rate globally. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)

thursday, november 12, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, November 12 – 05:30h-07:00h and Friday, November 13 – 05:00h-06:30h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, November 12 – 16:40h-18:10h and Friday, November 13 – 05:00h-06:30h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with heavy showers rolling in in the later afternoon hours. Light to thundery rain showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 04:35h and 16:45h reaching maximum heights of 2.63 metres and 2.73 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:21h and 22:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.60 metre and 0.46 metre respectively.

Seven students allegedly attempt suicide in Bartica

n what resembles a “suicide pact”, seven students in one of the dormitories of the Bartica Secondary School attempted suicide on Wednesday. Guyana Times was in-

formed that the students were in a dreadful state when discovered by a teacher. According to information received, the students are currently at the Bartica

Hospital undergoing medical treatment. This newspaper understands that a medical team from Georgetown will be arriving in Bartica today to meet with the local authorities there to address

the matter. There was no indication yet what prompted the students to attempt to take their lives. An investigation has since been launched into the incident.

GuySuCo ready to meet GAWU

– incentive talks to begin, no wage negotiation as yet

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has announced its readiness to commence discussions on the Annual Production Incentive (API) for sugar workers with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) for this year.

However, there is still no indication as to when the Sugar Corporation will be ready to discuss salary increases for the workers.

In a statement to the media on Wednesday, the Sugar Corporation stated that it has formally notified the Union that it is ready to begin talks about the workers’ API for 2015.

According to GuySuCo, the API is an entirely different matter from that of wages and salaries, and therefore, the discussion of this cannot be in lieu of the Corporation’s “refusal to enter into discussions on wages.”

“The Corporation has never refused to enter into discussions on wages. Its position has always been that these negotiations would commence after a decision is taken on the way forward for the industry after consideration of the Commission Of Inquiry (CoI) report. This position will not change,” GuySuCo posited.

The press release went on to say that the President of GAWU, Komal Chand,

“seemed” to have commenced the API discussions through the media with his expectation compared to last year, adding that this approach is fraught with problems.

According to the sugar entity, the GAWU President had accused the Corporation of impeding production on Saturday last, claiming that GuySuCo was not prepared for workers at various estates and as a result, they turned up at work only to realise that there was little work to be done.

However, the sugar company is contesting this, noting that on November 4, a letter was sent to the Sugar Corporation by Attorneys who wrote on behalf of GAWU, the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE).

This letter reportedly stated that the Unions were expecting a prompt reply from the sugar entity in relation to dates of negotiations for the wage/salary increases for the year 2015 but that if the due negotiations are not proceeded with then further industrial action will follow sans notice.

“Given GuySuCo’s often stated position that negotiations would not commence until a road map for the industry is agreed, the Corporation interpreted the letter from the Unions’ Attorneys as 72 hours notice of impending strike action and put in place arrangements to minimise losses in the event of protest action,” the Corporation said.

According to GuySuCo, given the loss of revenue from the previous three-day strike action, which amounted to at least $38 million, it was not prepared to experience such losses again.

Hence, when word was received that there was not going to be a strike on Sunday, GuySuCo began the process of recommencing operations by first burning canes.

Also, the sugar entity acknowledged that it has taken note of Chand’s “implied threat” for the beginning of the 2016 crop but hopes that good sense would prevail and instead, very good performances that workers and management teams ex-

perienced during the current crop would flow into next year.

In a recent statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Government is pleading with sugar workers to desist from taking any strike action, since this could cripple operations and close down the sugar industry.

Earlier this month, Guyana Times broke the news that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the sugar industry has recommended chief among other things that the sugar company withhold salary increases for the hundreds of sugar workers employed at the various estates across the country.

This publication understands that the CoI report recommended that the industry be privatised in order to facilitate better outputs from the factories located at Blairmont, Skeldon, Albion, Rose Hall, Enmore/ La Bonne Intention (LBI), Wales and Uitvulgt.

In light of this, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is adamant that privatisation is not the best way to bring the industry back to thriving. As a matter of fact, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has already announced that the PPP/C was prepared to fight any privatisation of the sugar industry. (kristenm@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Editor(ag): Michael Younge

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Teachers and professional

standards

Guyana is perhaps one of the few countries in the world where documented standards for teachers are yet to be implemented. Some time ago, we had touched on this issue and had made a strong call for the authorities here to take all the necessary steps and have these standards drafted and implemented forthwith.

It could be recalled that in March 2014, the Education Ministry had begun a series of public consultations with teachers and other stakeholders across the country and even overseas to craft a model professional standards policy document for teachers. Its main aim was to get feedback from those involved in the profession and the general public on how teachers could raise the bar in terms of the way they function and their own self-development and that of the profession. It is now well over a year since those consultations took place and the public is not hearing anything much on the current position with the final document.

Then Education Minister Priya Manickchand had told the media late last year that a report containing stakeholders’ recommendations was being prepared, but no one has given any indication since then as to what is the reason for stalling the process. It does not matter that there was a change in government and a new education minister is in place, this is a policy direction that is being taken by most sister Caricom countries. And in the interest of the teaching profession, it is necessary that Guyana follows suit.

In some Caricom countries, there are ongoing efforts being made to ensure teachers abide by the set standards and when it is found that there are certain breaches in the system, the necessary remedial action is taken. There is also need for Guyana to align its teacher education standards with that of the Region as Caricom seeks to harmonise teaching standards throughout member states in the Region.

Professional standards for teachers are necessary as they set expectations for achieving desired educational outcomes. These standards are not intended as a tool for punitive action. Rather, they reflect professional consensus of what is desirable in the supervision, leadership and delivery of education. They also provide a framework that permits professionals to engage in self-assessment.

Like other professions such as law and medicine, professional standards for teachers offer the professional community specifications against which the people who mould the nation’s children are able to set goals for personal development and progress in the profession. The standards are multi-dimensional and give cognisance to the key props for learning to take place, namely: (a) a motivated and willing learner; (b) effective teaching and learning and (c) an enabling environment.

We had stated before that once implemented, the standards will serve as a tool to monitor and evaluate teachers’ performances in the classroom, knowledge of the subject(s) they teach, techniques used, level of commitment to the learners in their care, and effective management of diversity to promote inclusiveness in the learning process. The standards will also help teachers sharpen their professional skills and help them interact with parents and the community.

Previously, we had suggested that as part of establishing professional standards for teachers, there be teacher career policies and programmes aimed at stimulating the profession; the provision of incentives to attract the best prospective candidates; established entry-level professional standards; and certification and licensing in accordance with established professional standards.

We must get on with the business of standardising, professionalising and making rules for the teaching profession. Any delay will be detrimental and will only serve to stagnate the entire process. In moving forward, we must do so with all stakeholders on board, especially the teachers themselves. It is, therefore, hoped that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration will continue the work which was started under former Minister Manickchand to have the document finalised and implemented soon. We believe that these standards are long overdue.

Minister Bulkan answerable for Ramayya’s appointment!

Dear Editor,

On Friday, July 31, 2015, the Communities Ministry held the Regional Democratic Councils’ Leadership Forum at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre under the theme: “Unveiling a Vision of Regional Empowerment”. It was emphasised by the Minister that regional empowerment can only be realised if the Ministry appointed the most suitably qualified persons to fill key positions at the regional level. However, this did not materialised since the Minister, Ronald Bulkan, seemed to suffer selective amnesia of what he said in a Stabroek News article dated July 13, 2015. He had chastised the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government for appointing Regional Executive Officers to carry out its bidding.

He further stated that both A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) criticised “the politicisation of the operations and management of the regions” and that the REOs appointed under the PPP/C Administration were “usurping the authority of the councils”. In his own words, Ronald Bulkan stood on high moral ground when he claimed that “It was undemocratic and…perverse and that the Coalition Government

is duty-bound to reverse those conditions…’ He further emphasised the need for “suitable qualifications and experience”!

On that same date in the Stabroek News, there was an advertisement to fill the vacant position of REO in the various Regions which required a Master’s Degree in Management or Public Management or any related field with 10 years’ experience in the public sector. In addition, the applicant must have knowledge of the Local Democratic Organs Act 1980 and experience in auditing and knowledge of regional administrative systems.

When this advertisement is compared with the actual appointments of the various REOs, a common trend is discerned: all of the appointments are 100 per cent political and the appointees lack the prerequisite qualifications and experience. A typical and glaring case is the appointment of the REO of Region Six, Veerasammy Ramayya. This man does not possess a Master’s Degree in Management or Public Management or even in a related field. Furthermore, he has no managerial experience in the public sector or any experience in auditing or knowledge of regional administrative systems. I want the Minister to be an-

swerable on this appointment!

Moreover, this man is a purely political appointment! There is nothing ‘quasi’ about his appointment. This man is a National Executive member of the AFC and campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the coalition, was a national candidate at the 2015 Elections and is a former MP of the AFC. If this is not ‘political’, I do not know what is!

As a PPP/C Councillor, on November 5, I moved a no-confidence motion against this REO at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Statutory meeting, which received majority support. But what was glaring was that even though the coalition Councillors voted against the motion, not one of them argued against it! This is tacit admission by them of the content of the motion!

During the debate of the Motion, the Region Six Chairman, Mr David Armogan, made it clear that the Region 6 REO feels that he is the ‘emperor‘ of the Region and everyone is subservient to him. Among his alleged wrongdoings are withholding payments for contractors who have successfully completed their contracts for no reason at all; withholding payments for essential items such as gasoline and diesel; awarding contracts

for works without tenders being received; slothfulness in awarding contracts at the Tender Board level which has resulted in only $15 million of the $260 million being completed among much more.

At this rate, the REO, Mr Ramayya will ensure that the region’s development is stymied and most of the allocated finances will return to the Treasury at the end of this year. He has failed to perform his basic duties, as outlined above.

The coalition has replaced competence with incompetence, youth with old age, experience with inexperience, and qualified with unqualified.

This REO’s appointment is a slap in the face of Berbicians and a disgrace to this coalition Government and I want to remind Minister Bulkan that this appointment is “undemocratic and perverse” to the extreme and is a typical case of what he accused the PPP/C Government of: “usurping the authority of the Councils”.

In conclusion, Mr Bulkan had said that “the coalition is duty-bound to reverse those conditions”. But I know that to believe this is wishful thinking!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

I stand proudly with my Hindu brothers and sisters

Dear Editor,

All the diyas were lit last night, November 11, all across Guyana and I stand proudly with my Hindu brothers and sisters that we did not fall for the attempt of Government to score political points through this auspicious event.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has received our message that the people will not be fooled by cheap politicking. But this is not a time to gloat in victory, because it is very evident that with the new Administration there is a new dispensation towards the Indian Guyanese community.

Very glaring was the absence of any coverage at all from the nation’s television station, NCN, which usually had full coverage of the splendid Diwali motorcade. The final motorcade was held on the night of November 10, a national holiday given for a national occasion. Yet, this year, a total blackout from the national television station.

I did write a letter to sup-

Sugar

port Dr Vindhya Persaud especially as a woman leader who was being disrespected by Ramjattan. The disrespect was continued by Berbice MP Charandas Persaud when he threatened her with violence at a Berbice event saying he “felt like hauling her off the stage”.

Hindus, and Indian Guyanese on the whole, are under attack by the Granger Government. The blackout by NCN of the country’s best annual parade is the first step to making us invisible.

The Administration also has on hand Indian Guyanese men who are willing to do the dirty work of abusing Indian Guyanese women in public and to no public outcry from its women Ministers including those in charge of social protection and social cohesion.

Despite the lights of Diwali, there is much darkness ahead and we must be prepared to stand firm and united wherever we find it.

Shanie Jagessar

Village Councils need to get serious

Dear Editor,

Over the years, ever since the Village Councils were instituted as the legal governing authority of Amerindian villages, Toshaos and Village Councils have come and gone. Good leaders have left their mark on history and in the minds of their peoples as legends. However, for the most part, Village Councils have generally failed their people especially their women and children.

Before I move to my discussion, let me firstly make it quite clear that Village Councils have taken a strong stance on land rights for their villages, culture revival, and sustenance and development of their agricultural sector. While this should be lauded, my concern is, why have Village Councils not shown any significant interest in the welfare of their people?

In Rupununi, inequality remains rampant among residents especially women and children. In a small economy where there are very limited opportunities for employment, men are typically viewed as breadwinners since our society

workers must stand firm

Dear Editor, We are sugar workers employed in the sugar industry and are members of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). We are in full support of the Union’s demand for negotiations to be conducted on our behalf so our wage issue could be settled expeditiously. We support the last protest action and we intend to continue protest activities as decided by our rank and file and Union leadership. However, we are alarmed at a letter of appeal signed by several Estate Managers, the content of which is the same, and which was placed in our pay envelopes. While we recognise that the Management has a right to appeal to us to reconsider issues like strike action, we take serious um-

brage at the disrespectful tone and language used in describing our Union and Union leaders. Some of those statements, in the appeal, were:

“There are those persons who would like you to withdraw your labour by striking. Who would benefit from you going on strike?...”; “The people calling you out on strike would be paid though. They have nothing to lose, only you would lose out....” and “Stop them from destroying our livelihoods for their own narrow purposes...”.

This type of language should never be used in the industrial arena, either in industrial relations or in collective bargaining. This is not the type of language used by professional managers. This type of language reminds us of 1977 when political sanctions were used against our

Union by the political bosses of that era. By this tactic and language we see the antiUnion posture coming to the fore. We are calling on managers to be professional and not to be misled by politicians. Our intended strike action is not anything else but genuine, industrial and in furtherance of our Collective Labour Agreement. We are using this medium to call on workers to recognise how our Collective Bargaining is being violated and the ploy that is being deployed at a political level to discredit our Union’s efforts in pressing for genuine Collective Bargaining.

Stand firm! We demand wage increases like everyone else in the State sector!

Truly, Sugar workers

is generally a patriarchal one. Years ago, our society was an agricultural one designed by the patriarchal system. In this system, labour was divided between men and women, with men being the ones to plant farms, harvest and provide food for the family and women were solely responsible for domestic work.

In this 21st Century, men still behave as patriarchs in society and with rampant alcohol abuse, women are forced to live with domestic violence, since they have no place to report and the cycle continues. The children, too, suffer a lot due to negligence and abuse – physical, verbal, emotional and sexual –at home, school and the environment in general.

Our women and children need to have protection and justice from these evils. But where can they go for help? Is there any institution available for such issues? So far, there is nowhere to turn to for help.

Take for example, just recently two children were brutally whipped by teachers in front of an entire class, and in another case children were admitted to the local hospital due to injuries to the head caused by the Headteacher. In another incident, a father wanted to take away his children from their mother for whatever reason I am not quite clear. However, I

am reliably informed that the woman was worried sick about the safety of her children and herself, since she was subject to continued harassment from her husband. There are children who have been sexually molested, but are fearful of victimisation as in most cases, the blame is placed on them. These children are forced to live in a society where the predators walk freely.

What have the Village Councils done to address these issues? Why is the Village Councils failing their people? Why is there little to no concern on these issues?

The answer is quite apparent – Village Councils for too long have been placing their individual interests and the interest of a selected few over the interest of the people. Village Councillors have not been sufficiently representing their people’s issues in respect to their welfare. Instead, they have allowed various organisations and politicians to dictate their village affairs without question. Understandably, land issues are important, but does this mean social issues and the well-being of the people should be ignored especially when it comes to the affairs of women and children?

Unemployment and school dropouts are also major issues that Village Councils must address, and

drug abuse among youths is also becoming a major problem.

To the Village Councils I say this: Are issues given to you by the Government and other organisations more important than the real concerns of your people? Do you really believe that these organisations and the Government will fix all your issues? The answer is no. It is your responsibility to address the needs of your village, your people, be it by creating jobs, ensuring the children attend school, curbing the abuse of drugs or seeking justice for your children and women. Stop depending on others to make choices and decisions for you. Start putting your finances to good use. Amerindians have a unique culture, therein lies the opportunity to meaningfully occupy and engage its people. Create opportunities for youths to be involved in the village affairs; allow traditional skills to be taught; and listen to the voices of the children, youths and women. Your people have elected you as leaders and thus have entrusted you with authority and responsibility. Stop failing your people! You can either step up or step down –the choice is yours.

Yours faithfully,

Vaughn Duncan Rupununi Youth

Page Foundation

Strategies for hard times in parenting

(Continued from Wednesday)

BY SANDRA FLEAR

• Ask another adult to listen to you. Then, listen in return. Usually, when we talk to others, they have opinions, advice, or stresses of their own, similar to ours. They want to release upsets too, so they interrupt with their opinions or similar tales that have disturbed them. For dependable stress release, it’s a good idea to take turns, so that each person has 10 or 20 minutes to talk without interruption or advice. When you’re the listener, offer 100 per cent of your attention, respect, and warmth. Ask the same from them. Over time, a Listening Partnership like this becomes a safe place to cry, to laugh, to think, and to shed hurt feelings. The emotional burdens of parenting begin to lift.

• Phone a friend Sometimes, the sound of a friend’s voice on the phone is enough to help you out of the worst of your feelings. You can set up a “rescue plan” that involves an agreement between you and one friend or several that it’s OK to call for five minutes of listening time when things get hard. The simple chance to let someone know how hard it is and how hard you are trying can help break the isolation you feel. Sometimes you’ll curse. Sometimes you’ll cry.

Sometimes you’ll laugh. Sometimes you’ll step into the laundry room, close the door, and stomp and pound on the wall. It will help!

• Let your feelings show It takes a lot of energy to keep our upset feelings from spilling out. We tend to become either impulsive or remote as we try hard to keep the emotional lid

crying in the presence of your children, go ahead. Just don’t voice the details of how you feel. “I just need a good cry,” or, “I’m getting my feelings out. I’ll help you in a little while,” are good ways to explain what’s going on to your children. Keep the negative details for your Listening Partner. He or she will understand.

love we have to give. Stopping and putting our minds on one of those memories can help change our feelings. Sometimes, pulling up a good memory will bring us to tears, because the contrast with our feelings at the present moment is so great. Those are useful, healing tears. Relax and let them come.

on. Seeing us like this is hard on our children. So letting feelings show creates real relief! It’s best if you can let feelings show with another adult, so you’re not depending on your children to comfort you, or aiming your upset at them. If you do find yourself

• Remember someone you love. So much of the hardship of parenting comes from feeling alone in the world. But most of us have memories of brief moments, or even days and weeks when life was good, we felt close to someone, and we were able to feel how much

Head off stress before it builds

This strategy involves some planning. You can involve your children in the plans, too. Identify a time of the day or a particular situation that often drives you over the edge, then, stop hoping it won’t happen

today. Plan that it will happen. Plan how you’ll handle it!

• Ask for help. Exchange help. For instance, when you know that grocery shopping with your twins brings all three of you to a breakdown, ask for help. Ask another mother to shop for you, while you take care of her child, or ask a sister or brother or neighbour to shop for you twice a month, in exchange for a home-cooked dish you like to make. It might work well for both you and the person you’ve asked.

• Use available resources. Ask around. Your church or temple may have an organised outreach programme for families with young children. There may be a Family Resource Centre nearby, or a local YMCA or YWCA that provides exercise, childcare, and family activities that help parents build supportive relationships. There is most likely a Parental Stress Hotline in your community, and if not, there are national hotlines available. These are there for you. You don’t have to be tearing your hair out to call! Make your first call during a quiet moment, when you’re NOT stressed, just to introduce yourself, and see who’s on the other end. That person is likely to be a parent who wants nothing more than to support you in a moment of need. So “practice” getting in touch with someone before you

need to. Then, when you feel things heating up, call before you’re ready to blow.

We don’t feel ashamed to call a tow truck when we have a dead battery. We don’t feel ashamed because we can’t cut our own hair nicely. We don’t feel ashamed to need a doctor or midwife to insure a safe birth for our children. There are some jobs that do require help from others. Parenting is one of them.

• Give each child ‘special time’. It’s amazing how much stress can be avoided when your child can feel in her bones that she’s special. Letting your child play the way she like to play, with your attention and warmth, is what builds her sense that she is loved. Even five or 10 minutes of your undivided attention can make a big difference in your child’s behaviour! Set the timer, and tell her you’ll play whatever she wants to play for the amount of time you’ve decided on. Don’t give her any direction at all unless she’s doing something dangerous. Give your child the chance to be in charge, and in exchange, you’ll get to see what she loves to do. Special time helps diffuse the power struggles that drain the fun out of family life. And special time will allow you to see how smart and unique your child is. Set up regular breaks for yourself. This is hard to do when life is so full and parenting is so demanding. But it’s essential to our sense that we are in charge of our lives. When we don’t feel in charge, we often wind up blaming our children, which creates more stress in the long run! So figure out how you can be good to yourself.

Are there things you can do every day or every week that let you take care of yourself?

A warm bath after the children are asleep? Twenty minutes of reading before they wake up? A walk at noontime on your lunch break at work? Turning off your phone during the afternoons, to reduce multitasking? Talking with your best friend one evening a week by phone? Listening to music?

A short nap every afternoon? We highly recommend setting up a Listening Partnership, so that you and a friend can take turns listening to each other, with appreciation and understanding, and without any pressure to solve anything.

However stressed we may become, we are good parents. We love our children with all we’ve got. We are trying our hardest. And we deserve good support. Experiment every which way with building support for your parenting. You and the others you build support with will benefit greatly, as will your children.

(Handinhandparenting.org)

Arab/South American Summit

Guyana seeks to strengthen economic ties

– no meeting between Granger and Maduro

By Edward LaynE

Commentators’ hopes for a meeting between President David Granger and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro to further discuss a resolution to the ongoing border controversy between the two South American nations on the sidelines of the Fourth Summit of the Arab and South American Countries (ASPA) did not materialise, as the two leaders made their presentations to the Summit, but did not hold any bilateral talks.

Expectations were high that President Granger and his team would have used the opportunity to initiate discussions on renegotiating a deal which saw Venezuela, up to earlier this year, buying Guyana’s rice and paddy at premium prices.

Both Granger and Maduro addressed the Summit on Wednesday.

In his address to the Summit which was aimed at boosting trade, cultural exchange and economic partnerships, President Granger called for the peaceful settlement of disputes and spoke of the importance of cooperation between Arab and South American countries.

He also urged the leaders who were present, to work steadfastly on the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which were agreed in September at

the UN General Assembly.

“We support the thrust of the Arab and South American partnership, which was initiated by former President of Brazil, Lula Da Silva 12 years ago. We feel that it is a very useful forum for building international cooperation,”

President Granger said.

On the sidelines of the Summit, the President and his delegation held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Ameen Madani.

Among its main objectives, the OIC aims to promote respect for the right of self-determination and noninterference in nations’ domestic affairs and respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integ-

rity of each of its member states while developing science and technology and encouraging research and cooperation among its members.

Guyana is currently working to join the membership of the Islamic Development Bank.

Bilateral meetings

The President expressed Guyana’s support for the call for Palestinian sovereignty and statehood as well as the urgent need for an end to the Syrian crisis, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

President Granger informed that from the South American side the main issue that was raised was that of Argentina’s claim on Falkland Islands and said

Special welfare committee set up to target homeless

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence has announced that the Ministry would be working side by side with a welfare committee that was established to target the homeless. This will ensure that persons are evaluated, and where possible, reintegrated into society.

Through the National Task Force Commission, which is responsible for Project Restoration Guyana, the welfare committee, chaired by Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, was established.

The committee comprises persons from the Ministries of Social Protection, Public Health, Public Security and Agriculture, and the Mayor and City Council. Its objective is to address welfare management for the homeless, mentally challenged and the addicted.

During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Lawrence explained that the committee has already done its preliminary investigation, and

was at the stage of preparing a budget.

“There must be an evaluation, because you have various persons out there: you have the addicted, the mentally challenged, the homeless and persons who see it as an economic means. We will try as hard as possible to have the families involved, after which we will look at capacity within the health sector to take on those persons, and the centres under the Social Protection Ministry. So we are waiting to see what the

budget will look like, and then we will decide whether we will do it by a percentage or take it by areas, but the Government is working on that,” Minister Lawrence emphasised.

As it relates to beggars on the streets, Minister Lawrence revealed that a bit more would have to be done to target this group. She said that it was not just teaching them a skill, or providing the assistance, but also dealing with the mental aspect.

The number of children begging on the streets is also increasing. Minister Lawrence noted that “children are to be taken care of, they are to be nurtured, and they ought not to be out there working, because that is child labour”.

She said that a programme has to be instituted to educate persons who use begging as an economic means.

Taking the homeless and beggars off the street is one aspect of the multi-pronged approach the Government has employed to restore Guyana.

that Guyana reserved its old position in this regard. Maduro, on the other hand, used the summit to call for the establishment of a “formula” to set a “fair price” for hydrocarbons.

“We have great expectations. We are optimistic that in the short term, we will move forward towards a new formula allowing to create stability and fair price

policies (for hydrocarbons) in the world,” Maduro said during his address at the Summit, which ended on Wednesday in the capital of Saudi Arabia.

“We are the ones who invest and produce the oil of this planet. The others cannot set their movements and prices on us,” Maduro stressed.

Like President Granger, Maduro held bilateral meetings on the margins of the Summit.

Guyana’s delegation, which was led by the President, included Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General, Ambassador Audrey Waddell; Kadim Khan from the Private Sector, and Guyana’s representative to the United Nations, Troy Torrington.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana’s delegation was flown to the Summit courtesy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A number of world leaders attended the Summit,

but the expenses paid courtesy was not extended to them.

The Summit was preceded by the Fourth Businessmen Forum of the Arab-South American Countries on Sunday.

ASPA, which began in 2006, comprises the 22 members of the Arab League and the 12 members of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

While the Riyadh Summit looks at means to bolster trade and cooperation, it also has a political component – such as jointly pushing for UN Security Council reform to expand the number of its permanent members.

Brazil, a UNASUR member, has for years sought a permanent seat on the Security Council.

When the Summit first began in 2006, trade between the two groups stood at US$6 billion. In the eight years since, this has surged to US$30 billion.

Venezuela will host the next ASPA summit in 2018.

thursday, november 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Diamond businesswoman’s murder

Construction worker charged

More than two years after the murder of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) businesswoman, Sirmattie Ramnaress, her alleged murderer was on Wednesday charged.

Colin Grant, 32, a construction worker, of Lot 1161 Diamond, Housing Scheme, EBD was slapped with the murder charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on August 31, 2013, at Diamond, Grant murdered Ramnaress during or after the course of a robbery.

According to reports, the lifeless body of Sirmattie Ramnaress, also called “Sabo”, of Lot 2430 21 Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, was found about

10:00h on August 31, 2013 lying face down in her office near her garage.

Her throat was slit, her head bashed in and her hip was disjointed. At the time of the discovery sections of her multimillion-dollar property was also destroyed by fire.

It was also reported that the entire bottom-flat of the house was drenched with kerosene and her house ransacked, which suggested the woman was robbed before she was killed.

The perpetrators also set fire to a bond aback the house, which was completely destroyed. After the robbery, the killers escaped in one of the woman’s cars.

Grant was arrested last Friday and allegedly confessed to being the “look out” man on the night the heinous crime was committed. The accused, ac-

Murdered: Sirmattie Ramnaress

cording to reports, does not know the correct name of his accomplice nor where he lived but would refer to him as “Rasta Man”.

A senior Police source told Guyana Times that Grant was allegedly part of a plan aimed at executing the now dead woman’s reputed husband but

that plan fell through. This publication understands the accused was a close associate of Paul Bascom who was gunned down during a Police operation.

The accused reportedly told investigators the woman was choked in the house and after she was dead, they dragged her into the office area to give Police the impression that the woman was murdered there.

After the murder, they reportedly searched the woman’s home where they carted off a laptop, jewellery, television sets and other valuables. On the day Grant was arrested, the laptop and a diamond ring belonging to the woman were allegedly found in his possession. He was remanded to prison.

The case will continue on December 15.

Robbery accused remanded

Aremanded to

peared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with robbery under arms.

Eyew tness Working it…

…or ignoring it?

Reflecting on the Government’s reaction to the crisis enveloping us deeper and deeper every day, your Eyewitness thinks the incumbents are inhabiting an alternate universe. How else do you explain the President, after examining the mid-year growth rate figure that’d shrunken from the projected 3.4 per cent to a statistically meaningless .9 per cent, claiming that the country will STILL make the original growth projection?

So where’re the testosterone-laden investments that’re going to be attracted, invested locally, start producing and selling whatever widgets they’re hocking – all in the remaining month and a half? Because, for sure, we ain’t seen nothing since July 1!! Does this Government realise while it’s boasting about “increased production” of sugar – the more they produce, the more we lose? Our production costs are twice the selling price! How do they calculate profits in their alternate universe?

But the best evidence of being out of touch with the reality of this world is the Government’s treatment of the rice industry. OK…we know most of the rice farmers didn’t vote for the Coalition…but hey!...we’re in this ship called SS Guyana together, no? We drill a hole in its hull because we don’t like the fellas next to us, and we all end up in Davy Jones’ Locker!

Yesterday your Eyewitness read that the Agri Minister (yes Virgina, we have one of those!) absolutely ruled out selling rice to Venezuela. Now this definitely violated all the laws of economics in this universe. As this newspaper was the first one to reveal – even though the US has been doing its darnest to throw out the socialist Government of Venezuela, it has just as consistently been fighting to keep and expand its rice markets in that country.

Forty-three-year-old Richard Bourne, a fisherman of Lot 14 Stanleytown Village, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on November 9 at Georgetown, while being armed with a knife, he robbed the Virtual Complainant Loaknarine Shaw of a gold and silver band, $47,000 cash and a silver chain, a total value of $117,000.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that on November 9, the VC was about to enter a motor car when he was approached by the defendant from behind. Bourne then reportedly held him up at knifepoint and demanded the articles. After relieving the VC of the items, the defendant made good his escape. During his escape, he reportedly dropped the band, which was recovered, the Prosecutor told the court. A report was made and the defendant was subsequently arrested and charged. The defendant, however, denied the allegations and stated that none of the articles were found in his possession.

The Prosecutor objected to bail, stating that the defendant was known to the Police and had several other matters of a similar nature pending in court. The Magistrate denied bail and the man was remanded to prison. The case will continue on December 14.

So what are we? More “principled” than the Americans? This Eyewitness would dearly like to know what those “principles” might be. For this universe. Now the rice market with Venezuela had been created when former President Bharrat Jagdeo met the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez on the sidelines of the UN. That happens when you’re always “working it” for the nation.

When President Granger met President Maduro at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, maybe he can be excused for not bringing up rice, because he wanted to show his “game face” on the border controversy on the agenda. But what about at the oil summit in Saudi Arabia over our TWO Diwali Days? Surely, our rice market’s on par with the price of oil being “depressed”?

Unless, of course, you’re living in that particular parallel universe, where it’s mandatory that at every opportunity, you should cut your nose to spite your face!

…with AFC’s misogyny

And here your Eyewitness thought in the Diwali season women were supposed to be revered by their menfolk as the Goddess Lakshmi. Well, evidently not in Canje, Berbice and certainly not by AFC’s MP Charandas Persaud. Choosing to attend an event by the Dharmic Sabha, which picked November 11 as “Diwali” night, he announced he felt like “hauling” the President of Dharmic Sabha off the stage. She just happened to be a woman.

And all the woman did was to say what she believed to be the fact…November 11 was Diwali. But how dare she? Wasn’t she just a mere woman? And Charandas’ leader of the AFC, Ramjattan – who was a MAN – had declared Diwali to be November 10!! Now that settled THAT, didn’t it? Not only should she be “hauled” from the stage – perchance she should’ve been given a sound thumping from the brave AFC MP.

Guyanese have already seen how the AFC deals with professional women – just think Gaumatie Singh. Charandas is just being “one of the boys”. He’ll be promoted!

…for the money

Expect a lot of misdirection from the Government as Christmas approaches now that Diwali is over – and the opulence of the Ministers’ “sports” contrast with the misery of the multitudes.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

Bagotstown shooting

Shot wanted man succumbs

– suspect's house goes up in flames

Jermaine Simon, the 24-year-old man who was shot on Tuesday night, in what Police have described as an execution

riding in the village at about 20:30h. Reports stated that the man, who was wanted by the Police for a Providence, EBD murder, was riding

style killing, has succumbed to his injuries.

The dead man of Lot 46 Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was shot to his head while

when the gunman rushed out of a yard and shot him to the head.

Simon was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his

injuries at about 02:00h on Wednesday morning.

Guyana Times understands that the suspect, who has been identified, is a known character to the Police.

A Police source told this newspaper that both the suspect and the now dead man are known to each other and were on Tuesday involved in an argument over a drug related matter.

Speaking with this newspaper, the deceased man’s mother, Nicola Simon, said some years ago, her son was accused of killing someone and following that incident, gunmen opened fire on her home.

Meanwhile, the home of the man who has been identified as the suspect in the shooting of Simon, went up

in flames on Wednesday afternoon.

The fire of unknown origin burnt the top flat of the wooden building where the suspect resided with his family.

PTA advocates for additional classrooms at One Mile Primary

Chairman of the Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC) Renis Morian has announced that the region will be seeking to make preparations in its budget to facilitate additional classrooms at the newly constructed One Mile Primary School. The issue of fewer classrooms was reportedly raised by the school's Parent Teachers Association (PTA) after the reconstruction of the new

school was completed. It was noted that the previous building had contained 28 classrooms as opposed to the 23 on the present structure.

Over 800 students were displaced during the 2012 unrest in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) after the school was set on fire by suspected arsonists.

The former Administration then facilitated the reconstruction of the fire bombed school to the

tune of $170 million.

Clerk of Works to the present school structure

Gerald Whittington had confirmed to Guyana Times recently that the school was indeed built with fewer classrooms and the matter was raised by parents. It was also established that seating arrangements were made to facilitate students due to the issue.

Further, it was highlighted that the school's au-

thursday, november 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Dropped newborn at GPHC

Family to sue Hospital for negligence

By Devina Samaroo

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is likely to face a lawsuit for medical negligence after a nurse reportedly dropped a newborn baby, causing the infant to suffer severe brain injury.

The baby boy was delivered on November 3, at the hospital and within an hour of his birth, fell off the cot on which he was placed, resulting in a fractured skull and the formation of a blood clot in the brain. The child is reportedly in stable condition after undergoing surgery to remedy his injuries.

ditorium is presently being used as a makeshift classroom.

The issues were also raised at the level of the RDC, with Morian pledging to look into the situation.

The Regional Chairman said that since the region is in the process of putting together its budget, it will be making provisions to facilitate extra classrooms at the educational institution.

Although the child is expected to make a full recovery, the frustrated family is in the process of taking legal action against the medical institution.

Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall will be representing the family.

During a brief telephone interview, Nandlall explained that he met with the family on Wednesday when he informed them of their options. He said the

parents were interested in launching legal proceedings against the Hospital for medical negligence.

Nandlall said a letter was subsequently dispatched to the GPHC Chief Executive Officer Alan Johnson requesting the child’s full medical report and the official report of what transpired.

Guyana Times understands that the lawsuit was likely to be filed against both the GPHC and the culpable nurse.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has since launched an investigation into the situation and it was reported that the nurse responsible was sent on leave.

Based on a press release from the health institution, the baby fell off a cot and onto the ground; however, sources revealed that a nurse had accidently dropped the baby on the ground.

The probe is currently ongoing to determine exactly what transpired and the information will be made public subsequently. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)

Screaming child rescued from burning house

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

The piercing cries for help from a young girl trapped in the upper flat of a two-storey building alerted neighbours to the ravenous fire that was in the process of engulfing the house.

Disaster struck for an extended family, after a fire of unknown origin erupted in their home at Lot 87 Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown, on Wednesday.

According to information received, the fire which started at about 14:00h, completely destroyed the

upper-flat of the house while the bottom flat received very little fire damage.

One of the occupants of the home, Veronica Griffith, was not at home at the time of the incident but her granddaughter was in the building when the fire started. However, her sister, Joyclyn, who lives in the lower flat was at home at the time of the incident.

Speaking with Guyana Times, a neighbour said he heard a child calling for help and upon investigating, he noticed smoke coming from the neighbouring house.

“We were home when we

heard the little girl screaming, the TV was a bit loud and we turned it down and we went at the back and saw the smoke. Immediately we started pulling our clothes off the back line. I had a bed in the garbage so I removed the mattress and then I come in front and move my car. Then we went and start trying to out the fire,” Nigel Ramkellawan said.

Ramkellawan’s house was slightly scorched by the fierce fire.

Another resident, speaking under the condition of anonymity, related that she was cooking sweetmeats for

Diwali celebrations when she noticed the smoke emanating from the house.

“I live right across the street. I was cooking my sweetmeats and something tell me look out the window and that’s when I see the fire. I turned off my stove and rushed out my house to see is what going on,” she stated.

Residents reported that the Guyana Fire Service (DFS) responded promptly to the call which resulted in the house being saved from total destruction.

When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, fire fighters had succeeded in preventing the blaze from spreading to the nearby houses and were working assiduously to extinguish the flames.

A large crowd of curious onlookers and helpful residents had assembled at the scene and rendered assistance to the devastated family.

The quick response by residents resulted in the family being able to salvage several pieces of furniture and equipment from the bottom flat of the house.

GFS Divisional Officer Compton Sparman told media operatives that the fire service was informed of the fire at 14:10hrs. He said three fire tenders were sent to the scene – two from Central Georgetown and one from Campbelville. Sparman confirmed that the blaze started in the upper-flat of the house but noted that the fire service is still investigating its origin. (devinas@guyanatimesgy. com)

Road carnage continues Bel Air man killed in Duncan St accident

Aman was on Tuesday evening killed after he was struck down on Duncan Street, Campbellville.

Dead is Julian Leitch of Lamaha Avenue, Bel Air, Georgetown. According to reports, the 47-yearold man was reportedly struck by a motorcar bearing registration plate PLL 1881, which was driven by

Attorney Keisha Chase. Reports stated that at about 18:30h, Leitch was attempting to cross the roadway when he was struck.

Police in a release stated that the driver reported that she was proceeding East along Duncan Street, when she heard a loud sound. Upon investigation, she saw the man

lying on the road. He was then picked up by public spirited persons, along with the driver, and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital. He reportedly received multiple abrasions to his body and died while receiving treatment at the medical facility. The Police have launched an investigation into the accident.

City Hall introduces new garbage collection system

As Guyanese prepare to usher in the Christmas season, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has launched a new initiative to better manage the unruly garbage situation in the capital city.

Under the pilot project, the Council will distribute forms to all the businesses within the garbage collection district (bound by Vlissengen Road,

ods, the forms would be submitted to the City Council which would then assess the situation to ensure the contractors carry out their duties as required.

Under the previous system, the City Council depended solely on the information received from the contractors as it related to garbage collection. However, it was observed that in some cases, the con-

South Road, Avenue of the Republic, North Road and Lacy Town/Bourda). The businesses are required to fill out the forms, in accordance with the intervals at which garbage will be collected by the contractors. At the end of certain peri-

tractors would not collect the garbage at the stipulated times. Therefore, the new system will allow the Council to track the collection of garbage and pressure the contractors to carry out their duties as is required. Failure to do so would re-

sult in monetary penalties.

“The objective is not only to track the waste, but track how it is being disposed… contractors are required to pick up waste twice a day within this particular district…check when, where, how and time and period it is collected…,” Director of Solid Waste, Ron Eastman, stated.

Additionally, Eastman stated that officers would be patrolling the streets on a daily basis to ensure the refuse is collected on schedule.

Also, this new system

seeks to expose how the businesses store their refuse and if they have adequate receptacles for their garbage.

Based on the anticipated success of this pilot project, the city council would expand on the initiative and implement the system in other communities.

This project will take effect on November 16.

Meanwhile, in further preparing for the massive disposal of garbage that accompanies the Christmas season, the Council will be implementing a bulk waste collection system whereby persons can dispose of their bulk waste with ease. Bulk waste includes household items such as refrigerators, beds, stoves, washing machines, etc. For more information on the Bulk Waste Collection project, persons can contact 218-1156 or 264-2489.

The Council will also be putting out more bins in the capital city.

Additionally, more litter wardens will be dispatched to patrol the streets and make the necessary arrests of litter bugs.

Within the past month, 50 persons have been charged and brought before the courts for littering.

$191M road works in progress

More than $191 million in contracts was awarded to rehabilitate and reconstruct several deplorable roads in five regions across Guyana.

Under the Communities Ministry through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), nine contracts were awarded for works in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region Ten (Upper

Demerara-Berbice).

Some areas in particular that will be benefiting from these upgrades include Buxton, Linden, Tuschen North Housing Scheme, Cummings Lodge, New Amsterdam, Melanie/Nonpareil, and Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara.

The contracts were awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction, XL Engineering, Compustruct Engineering Inc, H Nauth & Sons, N Lachman Business Establishment

& Civil Works, Mohamed Ramzanalli Khan, and Krishna Jagdeo General Contractor.

According to the Ministry, the various road works upgrade will contribute to the socio-economic development of the respective communities as they would reduce travel time; provide better access to educational and health facilities, place of work, markets, businesses, among other destinations; and facilitate the easy transport of goods and services.

At a recent contract signing ceremony, the Project

Region 2 RDC to engage stakeholders on stray cattle, road safety

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

The Region Two Administration will be engaging key stakeholders next week to address the issue of stray cattle on the roadways as well as other safety hazards affecting road users and motorists.

Neighbourhood Democratic Council’s (NDC’s), the Anna Regina Town Council and the Guyana Police Force. These consultations will device mechanisms to address the issue of stray cattle and other road safety issues within the region.

Coordinator of CIIP, Karen Roopchand informed the contractors that the Ministry expected all works to be completed within the stipulated time frame and there would be no extensions.

She stressed that if the works go beyond the contractual agreement, liquidated damages would be applied.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said that there is a high influx of complaints about stray animals on the roadways in the region. He said that a number of accidents were caused by these animals.

Ramdatt said road safety is everyone’s business and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will next week engage key stakeholders to address the issues affecting drivers and road users.

Consultations are expected to be carried out in five

The Chairman is also appealing to cattle owners to keep their animals within the confines of their environs and pastures.

“There is an increasing number of animals that have been occupying the public roads creating unnecessary burdens and risk to road users. This has to stop, it’s not safe at all and what you find also is that when these animals are responsible for damages to vehicles, we can never find the owners, “ Ramdatt explained.

Guyana is currently observing Road Safety Month under the theme, “Be wise, stay alive, stop speeding, don’t drink and drive”.

Diwali scenes from across

from across the country

Regional

French company begins geothermal exploration in St Kitts

Teranov, a French engineering and services company for new and renewable energy based in Guadeloupe, has started geothermal exploration exercises in St Kitts.

Five geoscientists are in the island conducting feasibility studies in geophysics, geology and geochemistry. President of Teranov, Jacques Chouraki, says the prospects for geothermal energy on St. Kitts are promising.

“The initial results look pretty good but, of course, it’s too early to say what will be valuable… It’s a long process. We have decided to invest a lot of man-

Geothermal energy will result in lower electricity generation cost that will redound to the benefit of the consumer

power in this project in order to speed up the process so that as quickly as possi-

Venezuela’s First Lady to learn English in St Vincent

According to a littlenoticed announcement by Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro on November 3, his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, who is also known as the “first combatant”, will travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to study English, the PanAm Post reported.

Flores, who is running for Congress in next month’s national parliamentary elections as one of the ruling United Socialist Party candidates, also hosts a weekly TV show on Sundays.

Maduro did not provide many details on his wife’s travel, but he did mention that it was part of an agreement recently signed with SVG to strengthen bilateral relations.

According to Venezuelan diplomatic staff in St Vincent, Maduro’s last delegation to visit the island included three airplanes at full capacity carrying two Chavista governors, their families, and enough food to feed them for three days.

Last month, Venezuelan journalist Rafael Poleo wrote an op-ed for El Nuevo País,

a national daily newspaper, claiming that Maduro’s wife was behind the idea of “improving” relations with SVG and other small Caribbean islands.

Her real objective, wrote Poleo, is not to learn English, but rather to pave the way for her family’s possible exile from Venezuela. Flores seems to perceive that Venezuela’s crisis is worsening, and that political support for the regime is faltering even among the presidential family’s own followers. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

ble the St. Kitts population will be able to know exactly if there are geothermal re-

sources available or not,” Chouraki said.

In September of this year, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Posts, Urban Development and Transport Ian “Patches” Liburd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Teranov, which includes a road map that can possibly see the production of geothermal energy in 2020.

Minister Liburd said the decision to start geothermal exploration on St Kitts came against the backdrop of high cost of fossil fuel imports under the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Curaçao Government resigns

The Prime Minister of Curaçao, Dr Ben Whiteman, has tendered his resignation to the governor in Willemstad. On Friday his four-party coalition lost its majority in Parliament. Whiteman has been Prime Minister for just one month.

Whiteman’s coalition was supported by 11 of the 21 seats. On Friday the coalition lost the support of an MP for the moderate PAIS party.

During the weekend, the coalition parties tried to glue the coalition together with the help of the Opposition party PAR, which demand-

ed support for two ministerial posts and the departure of the controversial minister plenipotentiary, Marvelyne Wiels, in The Hague.

On Tuesday afternoon it became clear that Pueblo Soberano, Whiteman’s party, would not pay that price. Curacao may be preparing for early elections in February or March, some six months earlier than planned, and it is the first time that the population of Curaçao can talk about a new political composition of the Parliament after the assassination of former political leader Helmin Wiels in 2013. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Killers named by dying victim in T&T

The hunt is on for two drug dealers who allegedly abducted and murdered Siparia mason Christopher Phillip on Monday. Although eyewitnesses are yet to come forward, Police were on Wednesday able get important information from Phillip before he died.

Grenada utility signs EC$6.4M agreement to increase solar electricity generation

Grenada Electricity Services Ltd (Grenlec) recently finalised a contract for 937kW of solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy spread over 13 sites at an aggregate capital cost of more than EC$6.4 million. These new installations represent Grenlec’s single largest renewable energy project investment in Grenada to date.

Colombia’s FARC ‘ends gun purchases’

The leader of Colombia’s largest armed rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), has said he ordered the organisation in September to stop buying guns and ammunition.

Rodrigo Londono Echeverri, known as “Timochenko”, said the decision showed the FARC’s commitment to scaling down the conflict with the Colombian Army.

The left-wing group and the Colombian Government have been engaged in peace talks for nearly three years.

Both sides say they are expecting to sign an agreement in March.

Some 220,000 people are estimated to have been killed since the FARC launched its armed struggle in 1964.

Peace talks were launched in the Cuban capital, Havana, in November 2012.

The aim is for the rebels to give up their armed struggle and join the legal political process.

Timochenko’s announcement came in a tweet to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. There has been agreement on four broad points on the agenda: the political participation of the rebels, land rights, drug trafficking, and most recently, transitional justice.

Transitional justice –how rebels who have committed crimes will be punished – had been considered one of the thorniest issues on the agenda. When the two sides announced a deal on the issue on September 23, President Santos flew to Cuba. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Aruba tops 2015 digital marketing index and social media rankings in the Caribbean

According to reports, Sergeant Gookool and Corporal Sookoo responded to a wireless transmission that a body was seen lying at Skinner Trace, Siparia, around 10:20h.

On arrival the officers found Phillip, 27, of Ramdass Street, in some bushes 10 feet off the roadway. He was wearing a red coverall and brown construction boots and was bleeding from several wounds on his body.

The ranking was finalised after researching and analysing publicly available information including, but not limited to: Date Website Domain Created, Domain Authority, Page Authority, Number of Inbound Links to Website Domain, Number of social media fans/ followers across the six major channels of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google Plus and YouTube, as well as 3rd party rankings via Alexa and SimilarWeb

Adding to a recent collection of impressive “firsts,” Aruba now ranks as the most popular digital destination in the Caribbean, according to Caribbean and Co, an expert source on Caribbean lifestyle and luxury brands.

The project contract re-

The 13 renewable energy sites include a combination of carport, roof and groundmounted solar PV installations at Grenlec’s facilities in Grand Anse, Queen’s Park and Plains. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-2016. Together with Grenlec’s existing systems, these new solar sites will bring Grenlec’s company-owned renewable energy generating capacity to a total of 1.12 megawatts (MW), which is equivalent to approximately four per cent of Grenada’s peak power demand. This new project alone will offset more than 1100 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and power more than 500 homes annually through clean energy.

sulted from a competitive bid process conducted by Grenlec earlier this year.

This solar initiative is part of Grenlec’s long-term commitment to increase renewable energy generation, and achieve the shared goal of Grenlec and the government of Grenada for 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020.

Increasing the use of renewable energy in a prudent, balanced manner can help stabilise electricity costs and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. (Excerpt

The officers took him to the Siparia District Health Facility where he was treated and transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries hours later.

Police said Sookhoo was able to interview Phillip at the health facility, where he told them he was working with Jokhan General Contractors, of San Francique, and had just finished a job in Point Lisas.

He gave the names of the two men who abducted him and took him to Skinner Street. He said when he tried to escape, the men shot him several times.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Caribbean and Co reports that Aruba ranks number one of 35 Caribbean islands for overall “destination marketing index 2015,” as well as number one of 10 Caribbean islands for Instagram reach, boasting 23,000 followers.

The marketing index ranking was derived by a proprietary weighting of various data, including social media followings, website inbound links, 3rd party rankings and more.

According to Ursula Barzey, founder of Caribbean and Co:

“Caribbean destinations like most throughout the globe spend millions each year to attract new and returning tourists to the Region. Many of the marketing campaigns are via traditional television and print media, but we are starting to see more marketing activity online.”

The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), who welcomed a record 1.07 million annual stay-over visitors to Aruba in 2014, attributes much of the island’s success to digital marketing.

While the exact level of investment for digital marketing by Caribbean destinations is not known, Caribbean and Co conducted some analysis to determine which destinations were more successful with their online marketing efforts. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Slovenia starts erecting razor wire on Croatia border

Slovenia has started erecting a razor wire fence along parts of its border with Croatia amid heavy security to “direct the flow of migrants” into the country, the Government has said.

Army trucks carrying wire fencing arrived in the border village of Veliki Obrez in south-eastern Slovenia early on Wednesday to begin work on the barrier.

Slovenia does not plan to “significantly reduce” the flow of migrants into the country, Bostjan Sefic, State Secretary at the Interior Ministry, said.

“The barriers do not have a purpose of prevent-

ing arrivals to Slovenia or significantly reducing them ... Their purpose is to direct the flow of migrants to controlled entrance points,” Sefic told a news conference.

About 180,000 people, many fleeing war in Syria and Afghanistan, have entered Slovenia since midOctober, most of them heading north to Austria and then Germany.

Europe is facing a record influx of refugees and is deeply divided on how to act.

European Union leaders are due to meet in Malta for a special migration summit later on Wednesday to try to iron out their differences.

The main point of disagreement in the EU is over mandatory national quotas to share out the number of asylum seekers among the 28 member states.

Hungary, which closed its border to refugees in October, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia all strongly oppose the quotas.

Slovenia is facing more immediate and pressing logistical concerns. Prime Minister Miro Cerar said on Tuesday that the country, the smallest on the refugee route, does not have the resources to shelter large numbers over the harsh winter if Austria shut its border. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Around the world

Spanish PM Rajoy challenges Catalan secession bid

The Spanish Government is fighting in the country’s top court a motion passed in the Catalan Parliament backing independence from Spain.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called the motion a “blatant disregard for the state’s institution... they are trying to do away with democracy”.

The Constitutional Court is due to decide whether to suspend the Catalan resolution immediately.

The motion asks the regional assembly to aim for independence in 18 months.

Passed on Monday, the motion also gives the as-

sembly 30 days to start legislation on a Catalan Constitution, treasury and social security system.

Catalan nationalist parties secured a majority of seats in September elections, but fell short of winning half the vote. They had said before the vote that they considered it a de facto referendum on independence from Spain.

Opinion polls suggest a majority of Catalans favour a referendum on independence, but are evenly divided over whether to secede.

Rajoy said, after an emergency Cabinet meeting, that he had asked the Constitutional Court to “im-

mediately suspend this resolution and all its effects”.

“We’re talking about the defence of an entire country. They are trying to liquidate the unity of a nation with more than five centuries of history,” he said.

The Constitutional Court is expected to rule against the Catalan motion.

The Spanish Government has asked the court to “personally” notify acting Catalan President Artur Mas, his Cabinet and the President of the regional assembly, Carme Forcadell, of the consequences should they decide not to abide by the court’s ruling. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Myanmar election: President congratulates Suu Kyi

Myanmar President Thein Sein has congratulated Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition party on its success in polls, his spokesman told the BBC.

With about 47 per cent of seats declared, the National League for Democracy (NLD) has taken over 90 per cent of the vote.

Suu Kyi has written to the leadership requesting talks on national reconciliation.

China’s Alibaba breaks Singles Day record as sales surge

E-commerce giant

Alibaba has broken its own record for sales on China’s Singles Day, the world’s biggest online shopping event.

By the close of trade, the site had seen sales worth 91.2 billion yuan (US$14.3 billion), a 60 per cent increase from last year.

In comparison, sales on Cyber Monday, which is the biggest online shopping day in the US, hit US$1.35 billion, according to data analytics firm ComScore.

Singles Day is held every year on November 11.

The day is also referred to as Double Eleven because of its date.

The reaction to China’s Singles Day shopping bonanza reflects the drama

and excitement of China’s capitalist holiday.

“I wanted two different coats, but they both sold out in the first three minutes of the sale!” complained one young woman online.

“I spent 2000RMB last night (US$315; £207)” exclaimed another. “Now I’m going to have to eat dirt if I’m hungry because I’m broke!”

But don’t mistake the rush to spend as a sign the

Chinese economy is turning around.

Many shoppers are well aware the economy is slowing. It is common for people to wait to spend on Singles Day to save money. (Excerpt from BBC News)

But spokesman U Ye Htut said such a meeting could only take place after the final results were announced.

He insisted there was no attempt to delay the declaration of results from Sunday’s election.

Correspondents say Suu Kyi is treading carefully despite her apparent landslide victory. The NLD won elections decisively in 1990 –only for the result to be nul-

lified and Suu Kyi placed under long-term house arrest.

The ruling militarybacked Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) – which won the last, widely criticised election five years ago – has so far gained only five per cent of the seats being contested in Myanmar, known as Burma.

A quarter of seats are reserved for the military. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Arab-South American Summit welcomes Syria talks, condemns Iranian interference

The Arab-South American Summit has welcomed the possibility of a political settlement in Syria and the outcome of the Syria peace talks at the level of Foreign Ministers in Vienna and stressed the significance of a full implementation of UN Resolution 2216.

A communiqué issued on Wednesday at the end of the Summit of ArabSouth American Countries, known by its Portuguese and Spanish acronym ASPA, in the Saudi capital Riyadh has called on all legitimate parties in Yemen to respect the decisions

Nigeria’s Buhari swears in long-awaited Cabinet

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn 36 Ministers into his Cabinet five months after his inauguration.

Buhari, who took office on May 29, won a general election in March after vowing to crack down on corruption in Africa’s biggest economy and top oil producer. He has been criticised for

taking until September to name his Ministers at a time when the economy has been severely hit by the fall in oil prices.

“Today we have reached another milestone in the evolution of our new Government which Nigerians overwhelmingly voted into office on March 28 this year,” he said during the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday.

The long-awaited Cabinet is smaller than that of his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, who had 42 Ministers.

Under the Constitution, the President must include a member from each of the country’s 36 states.

Buhari, 72, appointed former investment banker Kemi Adeosun as Finance Minister.

He also named

Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, head of the State oil firm Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, as junior oil minister, though the President said he would retain overall control of the powerful Petroleum Ministry.

Buhari called on the newly sworn-in Ministers to focus on tackling the many challenges Nigeria currently faces. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

adopted by the comprehensive national dialogue based on the initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and on Security Council resolutions.

The final statement condemned Iranian interference in the domestic affairs of Arab States as a violation of the international laws, the principle of good neighbourliness and the sovereignty of states. It called on Iran to refrain from acts of provocation that undermine confidence building and threaten security and stability in the region.

The two blocs called on Iran to respond to the request by the UAE to reach a diplomatic solution to the issue of the three islands in line with the United Nations Charter and international law.

Regional and international efforts should be conjugated to achieve a world that is stable and free of all forms of risks and menaces that could be caused by nuclear proliferation, the statement said. (Excerpt from gulfnews.com)

thursday, November 12, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Ogle Airport controversy

Small Aircraft Operators meet with President Granger

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

Nine of 10 small aircraft operators based at the Ogle International Airport (OIA) have now formed the National Air Transport Association (NATA) following a controversy which stemmed from the Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) moving to have levies on properties of these airlines if they do not pay their debts to the airport.

Vice President of NATA, Captain Gerald Gouveia at a media briefing on Wednesday stated that he, along with NATA’s President Annette ArjoonMartins, recently met with Head of State David Granger where they were able to update him about operations at the Ogle Airport.

“We had a very, very cordial meeting with the President, I think the President was and I venture to say, a little bit shocked to hear some of the revelations and I am saddened, I am very saddened by what is happening at Ogle,” Gouveia stated, adding that President Granger has committed to look into the details with his Ministers.

Gouveia stated that the Association has recommended to the President that a National Airport Authority be formed in order for airports in Guyana to be managed and controlled by an impartial agency.

With regards to the OAI Board wanting to approve an “Airport Operator Agreement,” which would have resulted in the company having an incessant right to possess the property belonging to all of the operators until their debts were completely paid, this caused grave concerns for the domestic operators.

“What I believed caused a trigger was a document which was presented to the Board of Directors of the Airport and it went to the board for approval. This doc-

ument was demanding that the operators at Ogle sign this document... This document hands over a lien on our planes, vehicles, boats and whatever it is that we own at Ogle to the airport, so that if we owe them landing fees they could seize our planes and our buildings,” NATA’s Vice President posited.

This agreement was to be approved at the Board of Director’s meeting on October 8, and stated that the Ogle Airport Inc would be able to levy fees incurred by any aircraft or property for storage “or otherwise” during the lien.

It should be noted that the company may further exercise a lien for unpaid fees, charges, costs or other liabilities as it sees fit.

As such, the agreement, if approved, could result in the seizure of properties after 14 days notice have been given for unpaid fees, charges or other liabilities.

Guyana Times was provided with a copy of the agreement which noted that “in the event that payment remains outstanding, thereafter, OAI may at its entire discretion, sell, dispose of, remove or destroy such aircraft or equipment.”

After OAI recovers the money which it is owed, the agreement provides for the remainder to be handed over the operator.

The 16-page agreement also states that the OAI has a right to possess any aircraft, its parts or accessories and any equipment for all fees, charges, costs and any other liabilities due or payable by the operator to the company whether or not it is connected to a particular aircraft even if it is not at the airport.

“A lien shall not be lost by reason of the aircraft departing from the Airport but shall continue to be exercisable at any time when the aircraft or any other aircraft or other equipment owned by the operator has returned to the airport having left it for as long as any of the said fees, charges, costs or other liabilities, whether incurred before or after such departure, remain unpaid,” it further explained.

Meanwhile, Trans Guyana Airways (TGA), which is owned by the Correia family, is presently not a NATA member though reportedly an invitation to participate in the newly formed airport association had been extended to that airline.

NATA members are Air Services Limited, Roraima Airways, Oxford Aviation, Fenix Airways, Hinterland Aviation, Jags Aviation, Domestic Airways, Wings Aviation, and Hopkinson Mining Aviation.

Meanwhile, NATA will be meeting with policymakers to discuss their concerns about operations and conditions at the OAI, including the apparent absence of oversight by an independent review panel.

Gouveia while addressing reporters maintained that all of the members of NATA were opposed to renaming the Ogle International Airport the Eugene F Correia Airport as part of following a suggestion made by President Granger who opined that it should be done in appreciation of this pioneer aviator. However, Gouveia de-

clined to provide details as to why NATA did not want to accept the President’s suggestion about renaming the airport.

A majority of the nine operators who comprise NATA have already made complaints that the OAI does not allow cargo transport operations to utilise the main terminal although foreign operators including LIAT are allowed to do so.

It was reported that the airport management strongly suggested that the small airline operators use the Cheddi Jagan International Airport for their cargo operations thus adding additional cost to their operations.

In a recent letter to the media by some of the operators, the OAI was also accused of imposing staff on the operators with authoritative and confrontational attitudes, often threatening, shouting, and demanding, sub-leasing land for facility development at prohibitive rates, and charging astronomically high fees for airport usage.

These operators also said that the Correia Group has increased the cost of fuel, delayed the delivery of fuel to their aircraft, monopolised ground handling and other services and arbitrarily terminated tenancy contracts with the aim of forcing them out. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

PNCR hosts Regional Delegates Conference

Under the theme “PNCR facing the future united and resolved to achieve national consensus”, the People’s National Congress Reform hosted its Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Annual Regional Delegates Conference on Saturday last.

According to a statement from the party, over 200 delegates from Pomeroon-Supenaam attended the conference which was held at the Charity Primary School.

PNCR Vice Chairman and Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, in her address to the gathering, stated that this year’s theme for the party was based on the fundamental ideas and philosophy of the PNCR and there was need for unity throughout the country so as to achieve national consensus.

According to the Social Protection Minister, the current Administration is of the view that all people of this country are equally important whether

A section of the gathering at the conference

they belong to a large group or a small group.

“To us the Amerindians are important, to us the Chinese are important, to us the Portuguese are important, to

Govt backpedals on Specialty Hospital

Government will be going ahead with the construction of the multibillion-dollar Specialty Hospital here, a move which former Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran applauded.

Ramsaran was responding to a report published in another section of the media, in which Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton confirmed the move to continue with the facility.

According to the report, Government will be going ahead with the construction of the Specialty Hospital here, but under a new agreement with India.

The new arrangement would see unused funds from the original deal being channelled towards the upgrade of three of the country’s regional hospitals, while a new pact will be negotiated for the completion of the medical facility.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Dr Norton said that neither he nor the Administration was ever against the Specialty Hospital. What was troubling for them while in Opposition,

he said, was the unavailability of relevant information.

“I know of persons who had to go abroad to do surgery, whether it is a cordial transplant, kidney transplant or whatever it is. In other words, it could not be done here,” he told this publication.

According to him, the Administration was not “properly informed” about the project.

The Health Minister said there was no information about the details including “if Guyanese were going to be employed in this hospital, if Guyanese have to pay to receive treatment in this hospital, what types of treatment, are the Guyanese students going to be taught there. These are things that were not coming through with regards to the bidding of the contract to build the hospital.”

Regional Hospitals, while still being able to benefit from funding for a new Specialty Hospital.

Speaking to Guyana Times on Wednesday, Dr Ramsaran said, while he applauded the move, the project should not have been stopped in the first place. He said a Specialty Hospital in Guyana is a must as it will be able to accommodate the rising number of chronic NonCommunicable Diseases in Guyana.

Project site

He noted that the Party was particularly concerned about the project site at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, where some US$4 Million of the grant was already utilised to lay the foundation for the state-of-the-art health facility. According to him, had Government not return to the project, that money would have gone “down the drain”.

The construction of the Specialty Hospital was part of an agreement between the Governments of Guyana and India for Guyana to use US$18 million through a line of credit to build the hospital which was aimed at catering for complicated surgeries, ranging from heart operations, organ transplants to cosmetic surgeries. The idea had come in for heavy criticism by the current Administration which was on the Opposition side of the House during the 10th Parliament.

us the Europeans are important, to us the mixed races are important, to us the Africans are important, and to us the East Indians are important,” she declared.

Meanwhile, according to the article which was published, Norton said Government has received what can only be described as “an offer of a lifetime”, whereby the Government of India will permit the Government of Guyana to use the remaining US$14 million from the Specialty Hospital Project towards the upgrading of the West Demerara, Suddie and

The coalition had cut the $1.25 billion that had been budgeted for the hospital in 2013. The previous Administration was only given $34.4 million as supplementary funding for the hospital in the 10th Parliament only by the absence of the coalition’s Member of Parliament (MP) Volda Lawrence when a vote had been taken on the funding. The previous Administration was hoping that the hospital would be used to bring tourists and overseas-based Guyanese back to Guyana, as a means of “health tourism”.

The new Administration had said that with the current state of affairs in the health sector, it was better that the construction of the hospital be put on the backburner.

GRA’s unbridled access

Govt to address concerns on data protection laws

Government is mulling the idea of establishing data protection laws to accompany the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2015 which would allow the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) access to citizens’ banking data for various purposes and investigations.

meets with

discuss concerns on data protection law pending ability to access persons’ banking information in the absence of relevant laws to ensure protection of individuals’ private data.

This announcement comes after the Private Sector Commission (PSC) raised some concerns about the absence of data protection laws to safeguard the confidential information retrieved and to protect the citizens.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams met with PSC members on Wednesday when they discussed those concerns surrounding the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2015 which is currently before Parliament.

During the meeting, the PSC reiterated that laws must be in place to protect all the data obtained by the GRA as well as govern requests for access, notice to be served on citizens regarding intended request for access along with an indication of the law for which enforcement is being sought via such access, care and control when such data is in the custody of the Authority, and recourse available to citizens if said data is unlawfully released or published by the Authority, among others.

In response, the Attorney General gave the assurance that the concerns would be addressed.

In fact, Chief Parliamentary Counsel Cecil Dhurjon, who was present during the meeting, noted that the concerns would be examined and addressed.

In a letter addressed to the Attorney General, the PSC had raised some concerns about Government’s

Although the PSC understands the merit of these amendments, the body highlighted major concerns in respect to the protection of citizens’ confidential data.

The Commission pointed out there are several frameworks in developed countries which Guyana can adapt. In the United Kingdom, there is a Data Protection Act. In the United States, the protection is built in to the same

Act which provides for access, along with regulations governing the criteria for the federal revenue authority’s access to and usage of the data.

The PSC recommended as a short-term measure, Guyana adopted the framework being used in the US.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the PSC was represented by PSC Chairman Norman McLean; Immediate Past President Ramesh Persaud; Chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee, Attorney-at-Law Patricia Bacchus, along with Manniram Prashad.

Barbados to help Guyana set up Hospitality Institute

Guyana has invited the Director of the Hospitality Institute of Barbados to visit Guyana and assist with the implementation of a phased approach for a local hospitality institute. This is according to Director of Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh.

Haralsingh explained that this same person completed the feasibility study for the local hospitality institute, with funding and backing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

While the feasibility study is complete, Guyana is still to do additional work on the hospitality institute which is desperately needed to build capacity, train and help Guyanese, and make Guyana’s tourism industry more competitive, Haralsingh was quoted by the Government Information Agency as saying.

But while the country awaits this infrastructure, critical to making the industry far greater, Haralsingh pointed out that the GTA continues to facilitate training, and is in fact, one of the key agencies that leads in tourism training and capacity building locally.

For this year alone, he noted, the agency has trained hundreds of persons across Guyana, thus far, even as it has as part of its agenda some key training coming up. Recently, the

GTA completed Dutch language training at the border at Moleson Creek. This effort saw Guyanese working with the Canawaima ferry including the security personnel, port health and customs and immigration officials among others, being trained in conversation Dutch. Haralsingh explained that GTA also produced a booklet in conversation Dutch and an accompanying CD to assist with the training.

The agencies have also completed Spanish training with the front desk operators among others at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Haralsingh added. Moving forward, he said that in two weeks’ time, the agency is set to conduct some level of Portuguese language training at the border in Lethem.

Meanwhile, First aid and CPR were completed with the speedboat operators plying the Parika-Supenaam, Parika-Bartica and Vreeden-Hoop-Stabroek route. Working in connection with the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the GTA also completed training with boat captains for their licences.

And as it relates to educating the public on the importance of fostering tourism for the benefit of the country, Haralsingh explained that this is done through school talks and through the agencies’ participation at local trade shows and fairs.

The agency is working with the Tourism Ministry to have the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s module for primary schools implemented in the school system as part of pushing this agenda. At the level of the secondary school, this will be handled by the Ministry as soon as next year, as a Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) approved tourism education curriculum will be implemented.

And for the public, he explained that what is being examined is a general programme, whereby the “War on bad manners,” campaign is revived and rolled-out all across Guyana, “so that every Guyanese can be a good salesman or saleswoman for our country.”

Burnt sawmill continues to smoke

– residents gravely affected

About one month after the Muntaz Saw Mill went up in flames, dusty smoke continues to emanate from the razed structure much to the annoyance of nearby residents.

Rosignol residents are appealing to the relevant authorities to act swiftly to address the situation.

According to information received, the smoke continues to escape from the ruins from the huge piles of sawdust that remained after the fire.

Guyana Times interviewed several of the residents affected by the smoke and most of them were much bothered over the situation.

Residents complained that their health was seriously affected by the smoke, noting that several children had to be rushed to the hospital as a result of several complications in their lungs which was as a result of inhaling the harmful substance. In addition, residents noted that the smoke was affecting

Smoke emanating from the burnt sawmill

their daily activities such as washing clothes and house-cleaning.

“The place just getting dirty back, so it makes no sense cleaning cause all the black dust will fall on your place again,” a housewife vented her concerns to this publication.

Some residents were also fearful that another fire may erupt in the ruins.

Stop the smoke

Meanwhile, according to the residents, they have raised the issue with

the Fire Department at Onverwagt, but no efforts were made to stop the smoke.

Residents insisted that they visited every relevant Government agency seeking assistance to address the situation but to no avail.

They noted that the Fire Service visited the site, but they did nothing to stop the smoke.

Contacted for a comment on the matter, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal said

he was aware of the situation, but was having difficulties in getting the Fire Department’s cooperation.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic Regional Representative Fizal Jaffarally noted too that the Regional Administration was unable to solicit the help of the Fire Department.

Jaffarally told this newspaper that representation was made to the Fire Service and the Chief Fire Officer assured that things were under control. However, the regional representative noted that a quick visit to the area would reveal that residents were severely suffering.

Safety first

On the other hand, Guyana Fire Service Berbice Divisional Officer Patrick Carmichael explained that it was currently too risky for firefighters to do anything. Because the sawdust continues to burn, there is a possibility that the firemen could get trapped under the heat by sinking below, he

stated. He noted too that this could result in serious injuries.

“We have to put safety first and as it is there is no threat to property or lives so there is nothing that we can do with the resources available to us,” Carmichael posited, adding that he explained this to the residents and also to the Regional Chairman.

Nonetheless, the Divisional Officer advised that the Fire Service could stop the burning by utilising water from the Berbice River. From all indications, the water capacity of the fire trucks would be inadequate to stop the burning.

“I advised them that if they can provide a boat, we will go into the river and tackle it from there using water from the Berbice River,” Carmichael stated, noting that the Department does not have a boat.

It should be noted that Rosignol is a community where fishing is the main economic activity and many of the residents own fishing boats.

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

Opportunities are heading your way. Don’t sell yourself short when it comes to negotiating for what you want. Make any move worth your while. You have what it takes to advance.

Jump into action and make a decision that will improve your personal life. You are in a high cycle where partnerships, education and creative endeavors come into play.

Listen to and be mindful of those around you. If you don’t exude patience and understanding, you will end up looking bad. Delay making a personal change.

Decide what you want to do. Speak up and let your voice be heard. Put your best foot forward in order to become a leader in your community. Romance will bring big rewards.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Do something that will encourage change and spark enthusiasm. You need a bit of a boost or challenge to get you back on track. Embrace change and adventure.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You will have too many options. Consider all the pros and cons before you make a life-altering decision. Your personal life will be greatly affected by the choice you make.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Enjoy life and the people who mean the most to you. Get involved in something that challenges you mentally or physically in order to feel exhilarated and be motivated to set higher standards and goals.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Your interest and willingness to try new things will pay off. Entertaining people who have something to contribute to your goals will bring the results you are looking for.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Too much, too fast will lead to trouble. Not everyone will be honest with you. Don’t make a decision based on hearsay. Protect your money, possessions and emotional health.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

You will have no trouble drumming up business or getting others to join your cause. Present your plans in order to receive worthwhile suggestions that will ensure your success.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Uncertainty must not be allowed to fester. If there is something you want to know, go to the source and ask direct questions. You are overdue for a change.

Your actions will make people realize you are serious about your endeavors. Gather those who show interest and include them in your plans.

Shillingford places emphasis on Volcanoes doing well at PCL

By Akeem Greene

Out-of-favour West Indies off-spinner

Shane Shillingford has placed priority on making sure that the Windward Islands Volcanoes have a good showing in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL).

Shillingford, who took some timeout out of his practice to speak to the Guyana Times Sport earlier this week in the first round match against the Guyana Jaguars, revealed that “collectively as a team, winning is the ultimate goal. I have been a part of a 50-over tournament victory, but never a Four-day.”

He further stated, “We, as team, have the same mind frame, one thing we do as a team is that we enjoy each other’s success.”

He went on to say that “the main thing this year, is consistency. Last year, we didn’t had a good start, but we catch up, but this year we’re looking to start good and finish good.”

The difficultly that is presented to teams from the Windward or Leeward Islands is the fact that their players come from different countries and getting all in one place for a prolonged encampment could be difficult.

However, the Dominicaborn spinner explained that “prior to this tournament we had a lot preparation taking place back home, but the way we started in the first innings wasn’t the way we wanted to start, but we had a great bowling performance. We had plans to utilise the new ball and it would be easier for the spinners to come into the game and it worked for us.”

The Volcanoes lost their opening match against the Jaguars, falling 104 runs short of a target of 230.

Shillingford made his West Indies debut in June 2010 against the touring South Africans at the Queen’s Park Oval and looked the real deal with his ability to get bounce and especially having the ability to bowl the doosra.

The tall spinner grew with confidence throughout his short, but fruitful Test career. He took some time to pick up his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, but after his 6-119 in a marathon spell of 42.5 on his home ground, he began being a constant wicket-taker.

In fact, in the said match, he took a match haul of 10 wickets. “Shilly” has played

16 Test matches, picking up 70 wickets, inclusive of six five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket match hauls, at an average of 34.55.

A big blow came to his career however, when he was reported for bowling with a suspect action in November 2010 and only resumed bowling in June 2011. Later in the tour to New Zealand in 2013 he was banned from bowling.

Good news came in March 2014 when he was cleared to return to international cricket after remedial work on his bowling action, but could not bowl his doosra, which remains illegal. A couple months after he played the touring New Zealanders, he looked short on confidence, which could be attributed to the scrutiny that was overshadowing him. He soon fell out of favour with selectors.

The off-spinner started the current PCL with a bang, picking up 11 wickets in the match against the Guyana Jaguars.

“The confidence is always there, it just a matter of going back to the nets and fine tuning, the art of spinning is always there,” Shillingford said. In the modern cricket world, the ability to bowl a variation is vital and the Dominican feels the same.

“Yes, definitely there is a lot more variation; I have been working on my arm ball, and using different angles on the wicket. It’s not just about he doosra, I’m working on different variations now,” he said. At the age of 32, time might not be on his side, but the talent is still there. However, Shillingford would need to produce a phenomenal bowling season to once again rock the selectors, especially with a plethora of younger spinning talents being discovered. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy. com)

Twin cycling events on this weekend

National cycling coach Hassan Mohamed has organised two events for this weekend, with the country’s top riders set to compete at the National Park and on the West Demerara roadways.

On Saturday, the riders will compete in the fourth annual Payless Variety Store 11-race programme at the inner circuit of the National Park, starting at 09:00h.

The event will be headlined by the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational, which will attract the nation’s leading senior riders and up and coming talents. Team Coco’s Junior Niles is the defending champion, having won last year’s race in a time of one hour, 22 minutes, 34.96 seconds.

Other winners included Romallo Crawford (Junior), Shameer Baksh (Veterans Under-50), Seon Budhan (Mountain Bike) and Rakheem Blair (12-14 Boys and Girls).

On Sunday, focus would switch to the roads, with the 16th annual staging of the Diamond Mineral Water 50-miler, starting at Wales Police Station, proceed to Bushy Park and return to Schoonord for the finish.

The Veterans, Mountain Bikers and Female will turn at Uitvlugt on the upward journey and finish at Schoonord.

The 2014 winners were Hamzah

Eastman (01h: 59m: 42.80s), Romallo Crawford (Juveniles), Talim Shaw (Veterans), Ozia McUally (Mountain Bikes), Ronella Samuels (Females), and Walter Isaacs (Veterans Over60).

The first six finishers in the Open division, and the first three Junior, Veteran, Mountain Bike and Female riders will be rewarded, in addition to the first Over-60 rider to cross the line. Eight prime prizes will be up for grabs during the course of the race.

Representatives of the two entities will be on hand to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion.

FIFA Ppresident in hospital after ‘small breakdown’

Suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter is in hospital after what has been called a “small emotional breakdown”.

Blatter, 79, who has led world football’s governing body for 18 years, was provisionally suspended for 90 days last month amid a corruption scandal.

It is understood he suffered what has been called “a nervous shock”, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Blatter is set to remain in hospital until next Tuesday after being admitted initially for a checkup last week.

Five days ago, Blatter’s lawyer Richard Cullen said the Swiss had undergone stress-related health checks in hospital, but added: “He is fine and expects to be home shortly.”

Blatter and Uefa president Michel Platini were given 90-day bans by FIFA’s ethics committee in the wake of a Swiss criminal caseinvestigating financial misconduct at the governing body. Blatter is reported to be “fully fighting against the ethics committee decision” and has told friends “no committee can put me out of the game”.

An aide, Walter Gagg, said the Swiss hoped to host the Ballon d’Or award ceremony in Zurich on January 11 after the suspension expires.

The criminal case centres on whether Blatter misused FIFA money by making a 2m euros (£1.35m) payment to Frenchman Platini for consultation work. They both deny any wrongdoing.

Seven candidates will stand in FIFA’s presidential election to succeed Blatter on February 26.

First win on tour helps West Indies...

His wicket set in motion a capitulation that cost nine wickets for 46 runs. Incoming batsmen attempted to hit out immediately, mindful of a climbing required rate, but managed only to find secure pairs of hands in the outfield.

Jayasuriya was scoreless off his first seven balls and, although he struck successive fours off Jerome Taylor, he slipped into a pattern of finding fielders with his big shots. Dilshan also misread the pace of the ball off the pitch on occasion, and West Indies continued to squeeze in cheap overs through the first half of the chase. When Jayasuriya was dismissed - thanks to an outstanding running catch from Andre Russell at the long-on boundary - Sri Lanka’s required rate was nearing 10.

Dinesh Chandimal was almost caught at the legside boundary first ball, but was securely held immediately after. Dilshan was out switch-hitting Rampaul in the same over, and Angelo Mathews was caught trying to clear the backward square leg boundary not long after that. From then on, Sri Lanka lost at least one wicket per over. Chamara Kapugedara was caught at

cover. Milinda Siriwardana was stumped running at Sunil Narine. The hosts had unraveled definitively by the middle of the 18th over.

This was after their own bowlers had withstood brief charges from Johnson Charles and Denesh Ramdin, who both hit 34 at either end of West Indies’ batting effort. The visitors had warmed up slowly, hitting only 17 from the first 26 balls, until Charles ignit-

ed the innings with a fourball sequence that brought 22 runs. Charles ran at Sachithra Senanayake twice to lift him into the leg-side stands, and swept him twice as well, collecting a six and a four. The next over from Dushmantha Chameera was equally expensive. Andre Fletcher struck three fours as Chameera erred down the legside - though he also had Fletcher dropped off a slower ball, on 16.

With 44 runs having come off the last two Powerplay overs, West Indies appeared to be surging. Siriwardana’s leftarm spin quickly brought the hosts some control. He trapped Fletcher in front with a slider, saw Marlon Samuels run-out later in that over, then struck again with his arm ball to have the visitors 75 for 3 after nine overs.

West Indies attacked intermittently after that, but had their salvos briskly shut down. Andre Russell was dismissed in the 12th over after two sixes had come in the previous five balls. Ramdin cracked two sixes and a four in the 14th and 15th overs, but was soon forced to contend with a stream of good yorkers - particularly from Nuwan Kulasekara - which he could only dig out for singles or twos. Sri Lanka’s seamers were pinpoint at the finish. Although opposition hitters were at the crease, Malinga conceded only five runs in each of his last two overs, and Kulasekara no more than seven from his. Ramdin remained unbeaten at the end of the innings. (Cricinfo)

RHTY&SC Champion of Champions bowls off Saturday

– Albion booted from tournament; Club unhappy with move taken by organiser

Defending champions Albion Cricket Club will not feature in this year’s Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s (RHTY&SC) Busta Champions of Champions tournament, since the RHTY&SC has withdrew its invitation, following an emergency meeting by its executive members.

The RHTY&SC has made it absolutely clear that the reason behind Albion’s barring is not to sabotage any player or the game, but rather the organisation does not want to be associated with the club.

Mobile Wizards 10/10…

“We took the decision not have them [Albion] participating this year, because we are afraid that if Albion reach the final they would not turn up like what they did recently when they fail to play the Berbice Bridge Company final,” an executive member from the RHTY&SC told Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday.

“The decision is not to sabotage any player or the game, but rather the organisation does not want to be associated with the club,” the executive member pointed out.

This new diktat by the RHTY&SC has created a furore in the cricketing fraternity

Speedboat, Wolf’s Warriors, Settle XI and Crossbreed XI victorious

The fourth weekend in the Mobile Wizard 10/10 softball cricket tournament organised by the Guyana Softball League in collaboration with the West Demerara Softball League produced some fine individual performances that left spectators buzzing at the forthcoming clashes.

The man of the day was Nazim Azeem of Settle XI, as he firstly took 5-5 before returning to open the batting, scoring 40 not out (6x6s).

His efforts allowed Settle XI to defeat Superstreet Reloaded by nine wickets. Superstreet XI were routed for 87 in 9.5 overs with Ganesh Persaud scoring 18 (1x4, 1x6). In reply, Settle XI’s opening batsman Ameer Nizamuddin, dropped off the first ball of the innings, ended up scoring a brisk 37 (5x6s) in a partnership of 84 with Azeem, which sealed the match.

Speedboat SC humbled Power XI by a 131 runs. Batting first, Speedboat SC scored a massive 173-5 in 10 overs with Anand Bharat 62 (3x4s, 7x6s) and Wazir Hussein 54 (8x6s), combining for an opening partnership 103 in six overs.

Power XI, having a huge target to chase and under pressure from the start of their innings, could not quite measure up and folded for 42 all out in 7.3 overs. Wazir Hussein took 2-5 off one over to put the final nail in their innings.

In the third game, Omesh XI powered their way past Ocean View XI by eight wickets. Ocean View XI made a challenging 110-7 in 10 overs. Skipper Avinash Shradanandan made 29 (1x4, 2x6s) and Amir Azim contributed 25 (2x4s, 2x6s) down the order.

Omesh XI was indebted to Avinash Persaud’s 4-19 from two overs in the bowling department. In reply, Vickram Kissoon clobbered five sixes and one four in 47 off

18 balls. Ricardo Adams made 24 (3x6s) in a brutal display in a partnership of 96 with Kissoon.

Crossbreed XI then destroyed Bonasika Challengers by a massive 101-run margin. Crossbreed XI batted first and made 149-7 in 10 overs. Narine Shaw, batting at number seven, and with just three overs left and the score on 91, left the Bonasika team in shock by attacking every bowler. He scored 46 off 12 balls, laced with seven sixes. When the Bonasika Challengers players batted they limped to 48-7 in their 10 overs.

In other results, Wolf’s Warriors won by walkover from Young Guns and Bonasika XI defeated Shattaz XI by eight wickets. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

in Berbice.

According to a release from Albion, the position taken by the RHTY&SC will undoubtedly raise serious eyebrows in the local cricketing fraternity, since Albion is made up of the cream of Berbice and Guyana’s top cricketers.

Further, the event, in its 12th year, is regarded by many as one of the more popular cricket events in Guyana. It is set to bowl off on Saturday.

The tournament, as is customary, will involve eight teams, namely Bush Lot Rising Sun, West Berbice, Police, Blairmont Community Centre, Tucber Park, Rose

Town

and

and

Matches will be played on a knockout basis. The winner will receive $100,000, while $50,000 will be given to the runner-up. Several individual incentives will also be up for grabs.

On Saturday, Police will play Young Warriors at Cumberland; Bush Lot Rising Sun will oppose Tucber Park at Edinburgh; Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets and Upper Corentyne will clash at the Area ‘H’ ground and Blairmont Community Centre will host West Berbice. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy.com)

Hafeez hundred hands Pakistan win

England were well beaten in the first one-day international as Mohammad Hafeez’s unbeaten century led Pakistan to a sixwicket win in Abu Dhabi.

Set only 217 to win, Pakistan were reduced to 41-3 by Reece Topley’s three wickets, only for Hafeez’s 102 not out to seal the win with 38 balls to spare.

Earlier, England were reduced to 143, then looked well set when Eoin Morgan (76) and James Taylor (60) shared 133.

But the tourists lost five wickets for 33 runs and were bowled out for 216.

England’s one-day cricket during the home summer was much improved, but this defeat in the first of the fourmatch series was more in keeping with the performances of a dismal World Cup.

As well as the failure with the bat, only Topley provided a constant threat with the ball.

In contrast, Pakistan’s trio of pace bowlers and leg-spinner Yasir Shah were excellent, the hosts’ fielding was electric and Hafeez imperious. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

England innings (50 overs maximum)

JJ Roy b Mohammad Irfan 0

AD Hales c Younis Khan b Anwar Ali 10

JE Root lbw b Anwar Ali 0

EJG Morgan* c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Shoaib Malik 76

JWA Taylor c Azhar Ali b Shoaib Malik 60

JC Buttler† run out (Azhar

Ali/†Sarfraz Ahmed) 1

MM Ali c Babar Azam b Yasir Shah 7

CR Woakes run out (†Sarfraz Ahmed) 33

AU Rashid c sub (Zafar Gohar)

b Mohammad Irfan 7

DJ Willey b Mohammad Irfan 13

RJW Topley not out 0

Extras (lb-5, w-4) 9

Total (all out; 49.4 overs) 216

Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 102-35-3 (3-w), Anwar Ali 6-0-322, Shoaib Malik 10-0-45-2, Yasir Shah 10-0-38-1, Wahab Riaz 9.41-29-0 (1-w), Bilal Asif 4-0-32-0

Pakistan innings (target: 217 runs from 50 overs)

Azhar Ali* lbw b Topley 8 Bilal

(b-2,

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Roy, 0.2 ov), 2-7 (Root, 1.5 ov), 3-14 (Hales, 3.1 ov), 4-147 (Morgan, 30.3 ov), 5-148 (Buttler, 30.6 ov), 6-157 (Taylor, 34.1 ov), 7-161 (Ali, 35.4 ov), 8-180 (Rashid, 40.3 ov), 9-213 (Willey, 48.3 ov), 10-216 (Woakes, 49.4 ov)

YELLOW PAGES

thursday, NOvember 12, 2015

Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

Khemraj & Son -landscaping & plant nursery. Lot 77 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Landscaping, planting grass, weeding, killing wood ants, killing roaches, rats & mealy bug, treat plants, coconut trees and flowers, cleaning ceiling, grafting coconut plants: 18 months bearing period, treating land, grass & spraying grass, grafted papaya plants: 6 months bearing, grafted cherry plant, sour sop & sapodilla, cutting big trees & removing, treated mould for sale & flower plants for sale. Tel 627-5969/ 603-1134.

License Custom Broker/Tax Consultant, assistance with Tax Compliance Certificate, Customs Documentation, and Tax Returns etc Call: 660-9478

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

K. LAKERAM - BUILDING CONTRACTOR, HOUSE PLAN, ESTIMATES, WEEDING & SPRAYING GRASS DONE WITHIN 48HRS. CARPENTRY, MASON, TILING, PAINTING, PLUMBING. PROMPT & AFFORDABLE GENERAL HOME MAINTENANCE. FREE ESTIMATES. TEL: 216-0671/622-0267/692-8464. EMAIL: klakeram.construction@ gmail.com

Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 223-6834/600-7719

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997

HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081,3374510,337-4259,337-4583,3373070,337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares. Karaoke! Self-play, easy karaoke entertainment for clubs &

& Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 6213249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

AA60 Carina Car, working condition. $330.000 (neg.) Call: 660-8404

One 212 Carina for sale. Excellent condition! Call #617-2370.

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST Da Silva’s

Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 3393536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 9431515 for the perfect trendy touch.

Persaud tops field at SeaLand golf tourney

Parmanand “Max” Persaud produced some fascinating golf last Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club as he outgunned the competition, posting a fantastic gross 75, and with his 17 handicap, he was clearly unchallenged for the Best Net per-

formance. He produced an amazing 58 in the SeaLand (Maersk Guyana’s) golf tournament.

Persaud also won the Nearest-to-the-Pin prize–earning three of the five trophies put up by sponsor.

Other winners of the day’s tournament were

the Club’s Vice-captain Patrick Prashad (66/10) and Lakeram Ramsundar (67/13).

Rosana Lall, a senior SeaLand Sales Executive, along with six other SeaLand Customer Services representatives were on hand to congratulate the winners. Prashad, in his brief remarks, expressed gratitude to SeaLand on behalf of the Lusignan Golf Club. He noted that the club looks forward to continued support from SeaLand as they strive to take golf to another level locally.

Jumbo Jet Stable takes top honours – Goodwill Boy wins feature race

Jumbo Jet stable dominated Sunday’s horse race meet held at the Bush Lot Turf Club race track in Sea View Park, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice.

The stable took top honours with three wins and other top placements in the eight-event meet, including the feature Four-year-old animals and those classified E and Lower.

Nine horses competed in the feature meet, but it was Goodwill Boy, ridden by jockey Paul Delph, that stunned the field with a timely run on the inside to churn out a commanding victory.

Pre-race favourite Spit

Fire of the Shariff stable was out early and led for most of the way with Jockey Colin Ross looking in full control, but as the race progressed into the backstretch, they were caught in an intense battle. When the horses approached the homestretch, it was still an open race.

However, about 200 meters to the finishing line, Goodwill Boy on the inside with a strong challenge surprised Spit Fire. Delph then used all his experience to guide the animal to an upset win. The win was worth $600,000 and the Banks DIH Trophy. Spit Fire, Unsettled and Red and Lovely finished in that order.

Keep on Swinging of the Jumbo Jet Stable won the Three-year-old event for West Indies and Guyana bred animals ahead of It’s My Choice, Settling Star and Strom Bird in the one mile event.

The race for Two-yearold Guyana and West Indies bred animals was taken by Wichie Poo of the Shariff stable, while stable mate Firing Line produced a strong finish to edge Red Rocket and Isn’t She Charming.

The Jumbo Jet stable was in winners’ row again, with Rosetta finishing ahead of Release the Beast in the G1 and Lower event.

Sent from Above of the Lenny Singh stable whipped

the field with a gate to pole victory in the H1 and Lower event, as Fresh Again, Royal Empire and Goldikova finished in that order.

The J and Lower race was won by Party Time ahead of Red Jet, Little and Blue Lightning. De Gump was in winner’s row in the K class event, as it triumphed over Massa Quita, Another Storm and Amazon Warrior.

The Jumbo Jet stable made a clean sweep of the individual prizes. Apart from winning the champion stable accolade, Paul Delph was named champion Jockey with trainers Nazrudeen Mohammed and Carlton Pluck sharing the honours.

“Dove” leads Old Fort to win over Pumas

Old Fort’s Stefan King is challenged by Aroydy Branford

Old Fort’s first division midfielder, Aderemi “Dove” Simon, shrugged off an injury received earlier in the tournament to stage a dominat-

ing performance against the Pumas on the second night of the GTT National Indoor

V-Net Communications T20 tournament…

Championships being held at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

While the young Pumas certainly had fitness and foot speed on their side, Old Fort’s experience and skill proved too much to handle.

With Simon launching several attacks from deep in his own half, it took the first 11 minutes before Old Fort made their breakthrough as a certain goal was prevented by the foot of a defender resulting in a penalty stroke. It was Simon himself who stepped up to score the opener giving Old Fort the 1-0 lead.

With forwards John Abrams and Jason Clarke threatening the Pumas goal on several occasions, Clarke would push his team further ahead with a powerful flick in the 15th minute. Simon would then return in the second half to add one more goal with seven minutes remaining on the clock to en-

sure a 3-0 victory for Old Fort. The Old Fort boys now enjoy a narrow lead atop the points table in the Men’s first division competition.

GCC maintained their strong standing in the Men’s first division competition with a dominant performance over Jaguars, winning 5-3, while Phoenix enjoyed a goal-fest against Saints, prevailing 9-3.

The GCC Tigers registered the largest goal tally in the Ladies competition to date as they routed Old Fort 6-1. Ashley DeGroot was the leading goal scorer for the Tigers with a penalty stroke and two powerful penalty corners, while sisters Kerensa Fernandes and Sonia Jardine added one each. Carol Caine opened Old Fort’s account in the very first minute of the match, capitalising on a Tigers’ defense error, but Old Fort failed to muster any further goals.

The Hikers taught the young Under-21 girls a lesson in hockey as they secured a 3-1 victory. Nicole Eastman scored the goal of the match with a powerful flick into the roof of the net from the baseline on the right, before adding a second to join a single from teammate Latacia Chung. Aliyah Gordon led a brave performance by the Under-21s and was rewarded with a single goal for her efforts.

Meanwhile, GCC and Old Fort continued to dominate the Men’s second division competition with victories over Saints (2-0) and Phoenix (4-1) respectively. The Hikers also recovered from a narrow loss on the previous evening to upstage Saint Stanislaus College 5-0.

Matches will continue throughout the week with the four category finals set for Sunday from 17:00h.

Success for Good Success in championship game

Host Good Success were crowned champions of the V-Net Communications T20 tournament after defeating G Square Cavaliers of Belle Plaine by 12 runs in the final on Sunday at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground.

A fighting last wicket partnership of 54 between the experienced Nazeer Mohamed and David Challitar saw Good Success to 110 all out in 19.1 overs after they were reduced to 56-9, deciding to bat on a pitch that rendered much assistance to the bowlers.

Opener Tulsieram Ramadeen (01) was run out with the score on one before Shoaib Namaz (02) was caught off pacer Lokram Narine at 9-2. Gurnauth

Khemraj and Imran Khan attempted to stabilise the innings, but after adding 23 for the third wicket, Khan was run out for seven, while Khemraj was taken off Kamal Khan for 21, including two fours, shortly after. Incisive bowling by G Square Cavaliers thereafter, led by left-arm spinner Kamal Khan, maintained the pressure on the host as they lost Charles Benjamin (01), Wazir Khan (06), Ejaz Mohamed (00), Vickram Ramnarine (03) and Mahase Ramnarine (01)- five wickets for 24 runs.

But Mohamed, who sustained an injury while batting, and Challitar rescued their team with level-headed batting before Mohamed was run out for 19 with two

fours, leaving Challitar unbeaten on 20 (4x4s).

Khan finished with 3-5 off fours, while Dayawant Shiwnandan picked up 2-10; Narine and Devon Rambarran had one each.

Pacer Imran Khan then uprooted the stumps of Rambarran (00) to put the visitors on the back foot in the first over. He then bowled Kamal Khan (08) leaving the score at 21-1, before Jaggernauth Manbodh and Heera Sukram stabilised the chase somewhat with a third wicket stand of 35.

Manbodh took the attack to the bowlers, taking boundaries for Khan and Khemraj before he was brilliantly caught by teenager Mahase Ramnarine off

Nazeer Mohamed attempting to go over the in-field.

He struck five fours and one maximum in his 39. Offspinner Vickram Ramnarine, who bowled with variation, then trapped Sukram leg before for 10 and Satnarine Sahadeo without scoring as Cavaliers slipped to 56-5.

Chandrika Ragnauth and Shiwnandan then added 21 for the sixth wicket to keep their team in the hunt, before off-spinner Khemraj sent back Ragnauth for 13 (1x4, 1x6) and Shiwnandan (03) leaving the score on 817.

Vickram Ramnarine soon disturbed the stumps of Narine (09), while Mohamed had Tamesh Challitar leg before for eight at 93-9. Ramnarine then sealed vic-

tory for his team when he had Somnauth Prashad caught and bowled for 10 as G Square Cavaliers were sent packing for 98 in 17.3 overs.

Man-of-the-Match Ramnarine finished with 4-13 from four overs, while Mohamed claimed 2-10, Khan 2-24 and Khemraj 2-26.

Playing in their first competition, Cavaliers who qualified for the final due to a superior net run rate, received the fair play award, Vickram Ramnarine took the best bowler prize, Khemraj received the best batsman award and Mohamed took the MVP accolade. Both teams received medals and trophies.

Meanwhile, Good Success defeated Sans Souci

Jaguars by three wickets in the lone semi-final played at the said venue. Batting first, Jaguars managed 1259 with Prem Persaud getting 26; Vickram Ramnarine captured three wickets, while Imran Khan and Wazir Khan had two each. Good Success responded with 1267 in 17 overs. Ramnarine got 28 and Mohamed 19. Nokta Moses and Zameer Zaman had two scalps apiece. In the final preliminary round game, Cavaliers overcame Noitgedacht by four wickets. Noitgedacht scored 121-9, taking first strike. Keemo Paul hit 26 and Omal Bacon 19; Shiwnandan and Narine snared two wickets each. Cavaliers replied with 122-6 in 15 overs. Kamal Khan made 26.

Seaboard

Group 1 champion Deokie hoping to repeat on Sunday

By Akeem GReene

Group One champion in

2014, Daniel Deokie, is hoping for a repeat in fortunes come Sunday in the 2015 Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) at the South Dakota Circuit.

Deokie, who explained that he is currently second in the point standings leading into Sunday’s event, is confident his skills can get him the checkered flag yet again. When asked what separates him from other drivers, Deokie revealed that “my consistency is my main asset.”

On Tuesday last, the driver was at the circuit conducting testing. He told Guyana Times Sport that preparations are coming along fine. He further added that his lap times during testing were impressive and they will certainly put him in a good position. However, Deokie is cognisant he cannot rule out any other competitor come race day

The ER racing driver is in his fourth year of racing and has come a long way from Drag Racing to competing with the ‘big boys’ on the circuit. Deokie, who is also listed to take part in Group Two, said he is more focused

ECDCA Premium Beer T20 cricket….

on Group One at this point in time.

Group One, which has limit of 1500cc, will see Deokie pushing his D15, a high-powered Honda Civic, to the max.

The talented driver underscored that it is not all about the engine, but more about the driver and the tactics that usually get him/her over the line.

In a group where there are lots of other young guns who want the championship as much as Deokie, the Group One race looks to be a certain attraction on race day. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

Wins for Fairfield, Lusignan A, Tiger’s XI and Enterprise A

The East Coast Demerara Cricket Association’s (ECDCA) Premium Beer T20 cricket competition continued last weekend with Fairfield, Lusignan A, Tiger’s XI and Enterprise A all chalking up comfortable victories.

Fairfield versus Strathavon A: Fairfield won by six wickets. Strathavon 79 all out in 17.5 overs (Chanderpaul Hemraj 32, Ganesh Sugrim 14, Alex Marshall 4-16, Richard Chatura 2-14) Fairfield

83-4 in 18.2 overs (Wassim Mustapha 45, Leon Targuchandra 14, Ken Alphonso 2-15).

Enmore versus Lusignan A: Lusignan A won by nine wickets. Enmore 109-7 from 20 overs (Amir Khan 36, Rudolph Singh 27, Rajendra Naikbaran 2-23, Steve Ramdass 2-12) Lusignan A 110-1 from 19.1 overs (Brian Sattar 68*, Steve Ramdass 38*).

Tiger’s XI versus Perseverance: Tiger’s XI won by six wickets. Perseverance 117-9 in 20

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

overs (Ranole Bourne 33, A. Chichester 14, Extras 25, Vishaul Arjune 4-29, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 2-9) Tiger’s XI 118-4 (Tajenarine Chandepaul 52, Azeemul Haniff 17).

Enterprise A versus Lusignan B: Enterprise A won by 91 runs. Enterprise A 148-5 from 20 overs (Kamesh Yadram 70*, Bhaskar Yadram 35, Rohan Mangal 27) Lusignan B 57 all out from 13. Overs (D. Jones 12, Kamesh Yadram 2-9, Vivian Albert 2-14).

GFF launches Scotiabank Academy Training Centres

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Wednesday launched its first-ever Academy Training Centres, which are exclusively sponsored by Scotiabank, and will be spread across the 10 administrative regions of Guyana.

An initiative of GFF’s Technical Director, Claude Bolton, the programme will be rolled out in 12 areas, which have been equally placed in three districts.

Bolton was also instrumental in the setting up of the Next Generation Project, under which the Academy Training Centres fall, and he said following the establishment of the Elite League and the coaching education programme, the creation of the centres was the next step forward.

“This is one small step for the GFF, and one giant leap for Guyana’s football,” was how Bolton described the initiative. “This is the single most important announcement and programme that we’re launching since I’ve been here for the year.”

He added, “Those Academy Training Centres will have a grassroot component…they will also have an Under-15 boys team and an Under-14 girls team. And our Youth Development Officers who will continuously train throughout the year will be running those programmes. That now for the first time gives us a full

formal pool that isn’t just training in a 2-3 week period before an international competition. They will train throughout the year.”

Youth Development Officers (YDO) have also been identified, and according to Bolton, this step in the development of local football will eradicate the stagnation of football at the youth level.

“The Youth Development Officers will then follow the development of the players. It also allows us that some children- that’s what they are still- would not have developed yet, might develop six months down the road and we will have eyes on them,” Bolton added.

Chairman of the Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, also hailed the programme, noting that Scotiabank’s involvement is most opportune.

“Because earlier this year, as you can recall, Scotiabank came onboard with the Women’s programme with a contribution of $500,000 then, and now there is this initiative where Scotiabank will sponsor what will be called the Scotiabank Academy Training Centres, and also the Scotiabank Youth Development Officers,” Urling pointed out.

He added, “But those two areas- Women’s football and Youth football- are important areas that FIFA is mandating to all its Member Associations globally. And Scotiabank coming onboard

is another demonstration of the corporate community helping in truly developing the important aspects of the game in critical areas.”

District One will involve Bartica, Essequibo, West Demerara and Georgetown; District Two comprises Upper Demerara, East Bank, East Coast and Berbice; while District Three will capture Lethem, Annai, Karasabai and Aishalton.

While Youth Development Officers are yet to be identified for Bartica and Karasabai, the others have been confirmed, and those officials are Travis Bess (Essequibo), Clement Brown (West Demerara, Vurlon Mills (Georgetown), Collie Hercules (Upper Demerara), Devon Winter (East Bank), Sampson Gilbert (East Coast), Keith O’Jeer (Berbice), Royston Fitzpatrick (Lethem), Frank Jacobs Alicock (Annai) and Gary La Rose (Aishalton).

Those officers had completed the licensing programme held earlier this year.

Four of the officersBrown, Gilbert, Winter and Mills- were present at the launch on Wednesday, and they also acknowledged the initiative as something good for Guyana’s football. The Youth Development Officers will work on a plan devised by Bolton, and based on the requirements on the ground, those plans will be adjusted to suit.

“Incorporation not a bad thing for GFF” – Urling

Chairman of the Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, has defended the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) becoming an incorporated entity, after reports of such surfaced in one section of the press on Wednesday.

Referring to an article captioned “GFF no, GFF Inc., yes!” in one of the dailies, Urling labelled it “rather unfortunate, because it came across to us that it was a very slow news day.”

He added, “The undertone seemed to give the impression that an incorporation is a bad thing for the federation, and

they’ve also said it was done surreptitiously, as though the NC [Normalisation Committee] had something to hide in incorporating the GFF.” Urling further explained the process, which led to the entity becoming incorporated; noting that discussion on this began in February 2015 with officials from FIFA, namely Marco Leal and Primo Carvaro.

“Just before those discussions, we had met with the then Minister of Sport in the presence of his Permanent Secretary and some other folks, and we told that the GFF had withdrawn

Clinton Urling

from registered as a Friendly Society. Friendly Society is one of the forms of legal registration; the other form is going through the Companies Act. And I just want to say that going through the Companies Act is nothing unique,” Urling explained.

The businessman made mention of CONCACAF, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and the Guyana Olympic Associations as some incorporated entities to drive home his point.

The Normalisation Committee Chairman made it clear the reason for taking such a step, noting that the GFF had two options.

“During our discussions, it was whether we go back under the Friendly Society or we incorporate.

The decision to incorporate came about because it’s totally independent of the government’s involvement. If you look at the Friendly Society Act, all bodies falling under the Friendly Society will have to report certain requirements to government, and in fact government can intervene…,” the NC head explained. Urling added the incorporation of the GFF is nothing to fear, but rather a step in helping the body to function more effectively.

tour helps West Indies level T20 series

West Indies’ bowlers delivered tight lines and intelligent variations of pace on a slow Khettarama surface to force a Sri Lanka collapse and prise a 23-run victory to end an otherwise barren tour. Dwayne Bravo collected four wickets, and Ravi Rampaul three, in the visitors’ defence of 162 for 6 which, like their bowling, had also been a collective effort.

The victory gives West Indies a share of the series, though Sri Lanka keep the top T20 rank. Bravo, who hit a run-a-ball 31 in addition to his 4 for 28 with the ball, was named Man of the Match.

Tillakaratne Dilshan struck his second fifty of the series but - although his own strike-rate was nearly 137 - his 70-run stand with Shehan Jayasuriya drew some of the momentum from Sri Lanka’s innings. Jayasuriya was out for 30 off 32 balls.

West Indies’ bowling effort was led by Dwayne Bravo turn to page 19

ov), 4-97 (Russell, 11.4 ov), 5-138 (Bravo, 16.5 ov), 6-147 (Pollard, 18.2 ov)

Malinga 4-0-16-2 (1-

KMDN Kulasekara 4-0-22-0 (1-w), SMSM Senanayake 3-038-0, PVD Chameera 3-0-36-1 (2-w), TAM Siriwardana 3-0-17-2 (2-w), DSNFG Jayasuriya 3-0-27-0

Sri Lanka innings (target: 163 runs from 20 overs)

MDKJ Perera† c Bravo b Taylor12

TM Dilshan c sub (JO Holder) b Rampaul 52

DSNFG Jayasuriya c Russell

b Bravo 30

LD

2

Senanayake c Pollard b Bravo 3 KMDN Kulasekara c Narine b Bravo 4 SL Malinga* b Rampaul 2 PVD Chameera not out 3 Extras (b-1, lb-4, w-3, nb-2) 10 Total (all out; 20 overs) 139 Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Perera, 2.5 ov), 2-93 (Jayasuriya, 12.5 ov), 3-94 (Chandimal, 13.1 ov), 4-102 (Dilshan, 13.6 ov), 5-117 (Mathews,

(Kulasekara, 18.5 ov), 10-139 (Malinga, 19.6 ov) Bowling: SP Narine 4-0-24-1 (1-w), R Rampaul 4-0-20-3, JE Taylor 2-0-22-1 (1-w), KA Pollard 4-0-23-1 (1-w), DJG Sammy 2-017-0, DJ Bravo 4-0-28-4 (1-nb)